RE- ABIA WORKERS, MINIMUM WAGE AND MAXIMUM DISAPPOINTMENT

RE- ABIA WORKERS, MINIMUM WAGE AND MAXIMUM DISAPPOINTMENT

I have carefully read through the misleading and disjointed write-up by one Ururu Aja with the above title, and decided to put the records straight. Without mincing words, the write-up in its entirety is a calculated and deliberate attempt by the author and his paymasters to deceive the public, incite Abia workers against the Governor and ultimately blackmail his administration.

Unfortunately, these propagandists masquerading as the people’s voice, are not smart enough to understand that the Governor whom they are labouring in vain to blackmail, is the same man who has shown more empathy to workers’ plights and given attention to their welfare than any administration since the history of Abia State.

It’s on record that Gov. Alex Otti’s administration, within one year in office, has cleared years of pension arrears owed by the previous administration which the author of the malicious piece was an active participant. As if that were not enough, the Governor has commenced payment of workers’ salaries as well as pensions on the 28th of every month, a feat which was unprecedented in the history of Abia State.

Gov. Otti has equally abolished the mischievous dichotomy in the payment of salaries of ‘core and non-core’ civil servants, a strange lexicon in Abia civil service system introduced by the previous administration which Ururu Aja was part and parcel of. All Abia workers including staff of Parastatals and agencies now get paid the same time.

In further demonstration of his concern for the welfare of workers in the state, Gov. Otti has equally promised, and designed a mechanism to pay N1.5 billion every month in defrayal of the N18 billion accumulated workers’ wage arrears left behind by the previous administration. The Governor has given his words that he would sustain the arrangement until the entire arrears are completely cleared.

Still on workers’ welfare, Gov. Otti has promised and indeed started paying N15,000 wage award to Abia workers. He has also abolished payment of fees for workers’ promotional exams which the administration that the author of the vexatious material served, not only imposed but abused.

Abia workers, therefore, have no reason to doubt a Governor who has done these for them in so short a time. Yes, he promised that Abia would pay the minimum wage once it was settled. Now that N70,000 has been passed by the National Assembly, and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the new minimum wage, Abia workers are not one bit in doubt of the sincerity of their Governor to do the needful.

As other states are beginning to domesticate the new law, Abia, undoubtedly, will equally key in as already assured by the Governor. While the necessary steps are being followed, no emergency advocate should attempt to cry more than the bereaved!

The same author made an unsuccessful attempt to further deceive his audience when he claimed that Gov. Otti sacked civil servants. Abians now know better that what the Governor simply did was to sanitize the bastardized Civil Service system and restore the dignity of workers by weeding out those who were engaged through the back door without recourse to due process. Cronies of the past administration most of who were not even qualified in the first place, were flooded into the service at the eve of the expiration of the past administration, unethical practice considered a gross abuse of civil service.

Another propaganda which the same author could not sell in the lie-laden piece, was the narrative that Otti forcefully retired workers who had not attained their retirement age. How come he quickly forgot that it was an already existing policy of the State Government that Directors who have lasted eight years and above in the directorate cadre should proceed on compulsory retirement? Same applies to Permanent Secretaries who have served for four years. The policy predated Otti’s administration, thus, trying to stand the truth in the head is tantamount to being smart by half.

No attempt by mischief makers and self-acclaimed advocates of workers welfare to distort history or peddle falsehood can succeed. Abians are now wiser, and will no longer fall for their cheap blackmail. Election losers and their paid agents who are yet to overcome the shock of the intimidating achievements of Gov Alex Otti should look for a gainful job to occupy their time instead of dancing naked to advertise their bitterness. Abia cannot go back to Egypt!

Jeremiah Dimgba

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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