PAY US APPROVED WAGE AWARD, ARREARS OF ALL ENTITLEMENTS— ABIA NLC BEGS OTTI
REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia State Government has pledged to take the lead in the implementation of the new minimum wage being negotiated by the tripartite committee of the federal government.
Governor Alex Ottti, who made the promise while addressing the civil servant in the state at the 2024 May celebration held at the Umuahia Township Stadium assured that he would backdate the implementation and pay its arrears to the state workers.
The Governor, who pledged to address the request for payment of the approved wage award, also promised that the arrears of the leave allowances and salaries owed by the immediate past administration would be settled.
According to Governor Otti, the present administration has made it a policy to meet salaries and entitlements of the workers and pensioners first before the political office holders in the state get their monthly official entitlements.
Governor Otti, while appreciating and congratulating the workers on their special day, urged them to support the present administration to succeed.
Earlier, the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya, commended Governor Alex Otti for the developmental strides within his short period in office, including the welfare of workers in the state.
The NLC Chairman, appealed to the Governor to pay the approved wage award, arrears of leave allowances and salaries owed workers in the state by the immediate past administration.
Comrade Ogbonnaya stressed the need for the state government to conduct promotion exercises in the state service which was last conducted in 2021.
He demanded recruitment of teachers and the immediate intervention in the crises that led to the closure of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike amongst others.
In a separate interview with some civil servants in the state, they appealed to Governor Alex otti to prioritize their welfare to help ameliorate harsh economy of Nigeria.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
