The governor of Abia state, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has promised to visit the unpaid allowances due workers from 2017 till date. The governor who made this known in an interactive session he had with workers at the states’ Secretariat in Umuahia, where he met with the workers from the ministries, departments and agencies.
The ceremony had the Head of civil service in the state, Mr Onyi Nwamah, extol the commitment of the governor to the workers for the prompt payment of salaries and benefits due the workers amidst the economic downturn. Mr Nwamah on behalf of the workers also made donations to the governor and promised the support of the workers to the re-election bid of the governor.
On his part, the deputy governor, Rt Honourable Sir Ude Oko Chukwu also praised the governor for outstanding performance since resumption of office; for focusing on the welfare of workers despite the legal battles which lasted for the better part of his administration.
He also affirmed that the workers – more especially the women – who have taken their time to praise and thank the governor for meeting their needs. The governor also praised the workers for their spirit despite the challenges that have bedeviled his administration. He said “I want to thank you all for your spirit. My being in court for the first three years of this administration is not I will wish even my worst enemy. But we thank God that our dark days are over, and now is a time that our work will begin, so as to make sure that we meet the needs of our workers .
“When I entered, I was faced with the difficult task of restructuring the civil service by downsizing as is obtainable in the private sectors, but I looked at the situation and thought critically of what will become of the children of civil servants that will lose their job. I said no! Let us find a way to accommodate them and ensure we take care of their wages.”
The governor also promised to settle outstanding leave allowances and bonuses accruing from 2017 till date, renovate the state secretariat and provide electricity and water. He also made a cash donation of 10 million naira to the workers.
On the entourage of the governor were notable persons from the the state; the member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Honourable Uko Nkole, former Deputy governor of the state, Rt Honourable Eric Ach? Nwakama, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Chief Emma Nwabuko, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Charles Ogbonna and a host of many other members of the state executive council.
