Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has approved the payment of 100 per cent of basic pay as 13th month package for workers in the state.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, revealed that besides the 13th month and payment of December salary, which has already commenced, the governor also pledged to give the workers Christmas rice through their ministries, while deserving civil servants would be promoted.
Uzodinma told the workers during an interactive session with them in Owerri on Monday, that despite wrong assumptions from certain quarters, his administration held workers in high esteem and would continue to prioritise their welfare.
He recalled that he first visited the Secretariat on January 29, 2020, shortly after he assumed office, where he interfaced with workers on the areas of challenges and the way forward. He assured them that he would investigate outstanding salaries and pensions and pay them.
Uzodimma also assured that his administration would not owe salaries of all verified 43,000 workers without issues, adding that he did not regard payment of salary as achievement “because the worker deserves his wage.”
Speaking earlier, Head of Service, Dr. Camilus Iwuagwu, recalled the various ways the administration had improved the workforce and welfare of workers, particularly the automated payroll system, the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, the provision of free mass transit, the civil servants clinic and capacity training for workers, among others.
The new chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Imo State chapter, Reverend Philip Nwansi, commended the governor for being friendly with workers and expressed confidence that all workers, who have issues of unpaid salaries and pensions, would soon have reasons to rejoice.
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