Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma Approves N104,000 New Minimum Wage for Workers
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has approved a fresh minimum wage of ₦104,000 for civil servants, PulseNets learnt on Tuesday night.
The announcement, obtained by PulseNets, came after the governor met with leaders of organised labour unions at the Government House in Owerri.
According to reports, the new wage represents a sharp increase from the previous ₦76,000. In addition, Uzodimma approved new scales for other categories of workers. Doctors’ pay was reviewed upward from ₦215,000 to ₦503,000, while lecturers in tertiary institutions will now earn ₦222,000 instead of ₦119,000. Other categories also benefitted from the adjustment.
Speaking at the meeting, Uzodimma told PulseNets that his administration had faced daunting challenges since coming to office, ranging from insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic to economic hardship caused by reforms and fuel subsidy removal.
“As a government, we have always kept it at the back of our minds that no administration can succeed without a cordial relationship with organised labour,” the governor explained.
“When workers are paid decently, productivity improves, families are happier, and the local economy thrives. This review is our way of investing directly in the Imo workforce.”
Improved Revenue Backing the Wage Increase
The governor reported that Imo State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had surged from about ₦400 million in 2020 to over ₦3 billion monthly. He also revealed that federal allocations had risen from between ₦5 billion and ₦7 billion in 2020 to nearly ₦14 billion today.
Uzodimma added that the state’s debt profile had been drastically reduced.
“In 2020, we inherited a debt burden of over ₦280 billion. Today, it is down to less than ₦100 billion,” he told PulseNets.
The governor recalled that when he assumed office, infrastructure across sectors had collapsed. He said huge sums had been invested in rebuilding roads, healthcare, and security systems.
Impact of Subsidy Removal
While acknowledging the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, Uzodimma stressed that the policy is beginning to yield positive outcomes.
“We are already witnessing the dividends of President Bola Tinubu’s bold decision to remove fuel subsidy,” Uzodimma noted.
“The task before us now is ensuring that the benefits of this policy reach the ordinary man on the street. With our IGR rising and allocations improving, a transparent government must channel those resources into citizens’ welfare.”
Pensioners to Receive ₦16 Billion Gratuity
In another development, PulseNets learnt that the state government will begin payment of the final batch of gratuities owed pensioners from August 27. The package amounts to ₦16 billion, according to the governor.
Uzodimma also highlighted reforms in the health sector, including health insurance schemes and the equipping of facilities to deliver world-class care. He said his administration had embraced the Federal Government’s project to establish 1,000 businesses in every active INEC ward in Imo.
Also Read: Hope Uzodimma harps on synergy among arms of govt
The governor used the forum to charge labour leaders to remain united and to strengthen relations with the government.
“We want value addition from workers. I urge you to avoid unethical practices and redundancy. Our vision is to make Imo a state where workers’ welfare is respected and productivity is rewarded,” he told PulseNets.
