Workers in Abia State are advocating for the immediate rollout of a N70,000 minimum wage. In response, the state government has announced the formation of a committee tasked with establishing the payment framework.
Governor Dr. Alex Otti revealed this initiative during a media briefing in Umuahia, emphasizing that the committee will collaborate closely with organized labor groups to ensure a seamless implementation of the new wage, taking into account the state’s limited financial resources.
This monthly media session, dubbed “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians,” serves as a platform for the governor to review and discuss government activities.
When questioned about the timeline for the N70,000 minimum wage implementation, which he had previously committed to on May 1, 2024, during Workers’ Day, Otti assured that his administration would act swiftly on any agreements reached between labor and the Federal Government.
“We have established a committee to address the minimum wage issue while awaiting further clarifications from the central government,” Otti stated. “My team is actively engaging with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to devise a practical solution that aligns with the state’s financial capabilities.”
He further asserted that provisions are being made to accommodate salary increases across all sectors in the upcoming state budget review.
“We are prioritizing this issue and, as we prepare for a mid-year budget review, we are making arrangements for salary increases in line with the new minimum wage,” he added.
Otti clarified that the announcement of the N70,000 minimum wage would also trigger salary adjustments for all workers, not just those at the minimum wage level.
On the matter of the reported N570 billion grant to states by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Governor Otti clarified that no state received that amount. He explained that the funds are part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project initiated prior to his administration, aimed at COVID-19 recovery.
“The funding provided is not a grant for hunger relief; it’s a repayable loan from the World Bank, reimbursed to states based on verified pandemic-related expenditures,” Otti clarified.
Regarding the commission of inquiry that investigated former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, Otti disclosed that the findings exonerated her from financial misconduct but indicated administrative lapses.
“She chose to resign, and we accepted her decision,” he remarked.Additionally, the governor discussed plans for upcoming local government elections, stating that preparations are in full swing.
He noted that the government would soon approach the Abia House of Assembly to establish necessary protocols for conducting the elections and that a timetable would be announced once the assembly completes its preparations.
