Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says his administration is working closely with the leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to work out modalities for the payment of the new national minimum wage of Seventy thousand Naira (N70k).
Governor Otti who stated this during his monthly media chat tagged, “Governor Alex Otti speaks” said that while the State Government team works with the NLC on the modalities, the State Government still awaits further clarifications from the Federal Government on the way forward.
“A committee has already been set up. The Government Team together with the Nigeria Labour Congress is already working. We are not keeping quiet. We are already making progress”.
He used the opportunity to clarify that there was No financial impropriety in the report of the panel set to look into the activities of the former Commissioner for Health in the State, adding that the former Commissioner for Science and Technology who recently resigned his appointment had no case with the Governor and the Government of Abia State. The Commissioner resigned honourably and maintains alignment with the Government and Governor.
“The committee (investigative panel on former health commissioner) turned in its report and there were no financial impropriety found but there were conducts that were not consistent with lay down policies and procedures”. Governor Otti declared.
“I want to repeat that money was not stolen. There were procedures that were abused. And since she offered to resign, the Government decided to accept her resignation” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti stated that the issue of sending civil servants to classrooms as teachers would only apply to such workers who had trainings in education related field to ensure that a square peg is put in a square hole. He revealed that a discriminatory compensation package would be introduced for teachers in the state in addition to the increase of their retirement age from 60 to 65 years, also announcing that he has concluded plans to increase retirement age of nurses in the state from 60 to 65 years too.
The Governor said that his administration is at the point of digitizing all Government activities and has hired a professional who will launch Abia public service in the digital world for a seamless operation.
On when the state will be conducting local government election, the State Governor said that the time table for local government election will be out as soon as some legislative matters are put in place in the State House of Assembly.
On Security issues, Governor Otti noted that there have been remarkable improvement owing to the gallantry operation of the “Operation Crush Outfit” who are working round the clock to smoke out criminals from all nooks and crannies of the State.
The Governor who disclosed that he has not borrowed to finance projects said that he would continue to be focused and ensure financial prudence.
“So far, we have been operating without borrowing a Kobo, but we have quite a few offers, at the appropriate time, we will access them. So far, we have not accessed them, the state of the State’s Economy is healthy. We will continue to put our eyes on the ball”.
He used the forum to thank Abians for heeding to his plea of not joining the ongoing Hunger protest in some states of the Federation, noting that such protest would have disrupted the prevailing peace and security in the state as protest, which is allowed by the constitution could be hijacked by criminal elements.
The Governor said that as a government that responds to the yearnings and aspiration of the people, his administration will continue to do things that will keep improving the living standards of the people with emphasis on priority areas such as Health, Education, Agriculture, infrastructure, digital economy among others.
Azubuike Jinanwa/Divine Nwankwo
Govt. House Press, Umuahia.
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