Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, South-East Nigeria, has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state.
Uzodimma made this known during a meeting with various labour union leaders on Tuesday night at the Government House, Owerri.
The governor announced an increase in the minimum wage from N76,000 to N104,000. Similarly, doctors’ minimum wage was raised from N215,000 to N503,000, while that of tertiary institution teachers rose from N119,000 to N222,000, among others.
He noted that Imo citizens had faced numerous challenges since his administration came into office, including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardship arising from reform policies, and disputes over minimum wage and fuel subsidy removal.
“There is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with organised labour. When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people. Government believes in stimulating political and economic activities, carrying bureaucrats along, and making sure that workers’ welfare is highly respected,” Uzodimma said.
He disclosed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly.
According to him, “In 2020, we were receiving allocations between N5 billion and N7 billion, but this has now increased to N14 billion. In the same year, the state recorded a debt profile of over N280 billion, but this has been reduced to less than N100 billion.”
The governor recalled that when he assumed office in 2020, major infrastructure across all sectors had collapsed. He said significant funds had been committed to rebuilding critical infrastructure, particularly roads, as well as addressing insecurity challenges.
He stressed that the removal of fuel subsidy had increased the cost of living but also had long-term advantages.
“It is a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy. What government is confronted with now is how to ensure that the dividends of that policy trickle down to the common man on the street. Cognisant of the fact that our efforts have started yielding results, that our IGR has improved, and that the President’s reform policies have also increased allocations to sub-national governments, every responsible government must be transparent about it,” he said.
Uzodimma further announced that from Aug. 27, the state government would begin payment of the last batch of N16 billion in gratuities owed pensioners.
He added that his administration had implemented major reforms in the health sector, including introducing a health insurance scheme and equipping facilities to ensure world-class treatment for Imo citizens.
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The governor also stated that the state had keyed into the Federal Government’s project of establishing 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward.
He urged labour unions to unite in fostering a strong working relationship with government. While soliciting value addition from workers, he cautioned them against unethical practices and redundancy in the workplace.
Responding, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, described the increase in minimum wage as a “victory for the entire workforce in the state.”
Nwigwe said the governor had not only rescued workers from economic hardship but also made Imo one of the states paying the highest minimum wage in the country.
“Today, no worker in Imo will say you (Uzodimma) have not been fair to us,” he said, praying for God’s continued protection for the governor and assuring him that workers would reciprocate the gesture with more diligent, efficient, and effective service.
Also speaking, the state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Uchenna Ibe, commended the governor for his “strong political will in undertaking major projects, including the increase in minimum wage.”
