Abia to commence payment of new minimum wage in October

ottiAbia State Government has said it would commence the implementation of the new minimum wage from October 2024.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this in Umuahia during a press briefing on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting, said the payment would cut across all categories of workers.

He said the decision was in fulfilment of Governor Alex Otti’s promise to Abia workers.

The Commissioner also said the move underscored the commitment of the current administration to the welfare of workers.

Recall that after much negotiations with labour, the Federal Government recently approved N70,000 as new minimum wage.

The Commissioner further disclosed that the State Government would in two weeks, flag off the construction of ultramodern court halls in each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.

This, according to him, is to ensure that the “administration of justice is not impeded in any way.”

He also hinted that the Governor would flag off the construction of a 19.4-kilometre road in Isiala Ngwa North and South LGAs “under the RAMP project.”

The Commissioner attributed the superlative performance of Abia State which came top in the just-released National Examination Council, NECO, results, to the ongoing reforms by the current administration in the education sector.

He said that the performance of the state would get better in the years ahead.

The Commissioner further hinted that the Governor would soon host the Abia contingent in the just-concluded paralympic for winning laurels at the competition.

Contributing, Commissioner for Sports, Mr Ananaba Nwobilor, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Abia team in the Under 15 National Youth Games that held in Delta State where Abia won 31 medals including seven gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals.

” Abia came 10th overall, the first of its kind since the history of the state “, he added.

The Commissioner said the huge investments of the current administration in sports development, were beginning to yield fruit, disclosing that six young players discovered during the recent All Secondary School Games in the state are now in Hungary where they are being fully developed.

Similarly, he said that two Abia Angels players had gone to a club side in Europe on loan, adding that another star player (Nmesomachi), is currently on full scholarship in the United States of America where she is also playing soccer.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, who was also at the briefing, said the proposed court halls would be 21st-century compliant.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, was also at the briefing.