Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has announced that his administration is actively collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance increments in the salaries of civil servants, in line with the current economic realities.
Governor Otti made the announcement on Friday, during the third edition of the monthly briefing with Journalists tagged “Governor Otti Speaks”, held at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia.
The Governor acknowledged the difficulties faced by the people amid factors such as rising exchange rates, the removal of fuel subsidies, and increasing inflation.
He assured that efforts are underway to enhance not only the minimum wage but salaries across the board and added that a formal announcement regarding these improvements will be made in due course.
“We are engaging with stakeholders to see how we can improve on the pay of civil servants in line with the present economic realities where exchange rates have converged upwards, and fuel subsidy have been removed and inflation is going up, heading to 30%.
“We understand that things are a bit more difficult for the people and we are already working to see how we can improve from not just the minimum wage but also across the lines.
“An announcement to that effect will be made in due course”,Otti stated.
Addressing concerns regarding the welfare of the newly retired Permanent Secretaries and Directors from the State Civil Service, Governor Otti assured that their entitlement would be duly paid.
He said; “Government will pay in full whatever are the arrears of salaries of the recently retired Permanent Secretaries and Directors.
“We are working hard to keep to our promise of offsetting pensions arrears of civil servants”.
Otti who dismissed allegations of spending 927 Million Naira on food, attributed the allegations of excessive spending as attempt by enemies to undermine his administration’s positive achievements.
The Governor explained that the actual expenditure figures have been clarified and emphasized the government’s transparency and prudent management of state resources.
In the healthcare sector, Governor Otti said his administration is making substantial investments which include, retrofitting of various hospitals across the state, payment of counterpart funding, and renewed partnerships with donor agencies and multilateral organizations.
He further disclosed that efforts are currently ongoing by his adminstration to secure re-accreditation for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) while upgrading its facilities.
The Governor used the forum to highlight initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructural development of the state, assured that government is creating a conducive environment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive.
