Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti has assured Abia workers that his administration would always prioritise their welfare and give them a sense of belonging in compliance to his belief that “there should be dignity in labour.”
Otti who spoke while addressing workers at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the 2025 International Workers’ Day celebration, argued that workers should earn justly for their contributions to the growth of the economy.
The Governor who titled his speech, “PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSFORMATION” appreciated workers for embracing the work ethic and standards of the New Abia and assured them of his commitment to workers.
“Let me thank the workers in our State for genuinely embracing the work ethics and standards of the New Abia. I am glad that the 9 am to 5 pm orientation is gradually fading away from our work environment.
“The New Abia work ethic does not permit anyone leaving the office when there are still files to be attended to or tasks to be executed. You do not go home because it is 5 pm; you go home because you have effectively completed the tasks you outlined at the beginning of the day.
“My commitment to Abia workers, is that we shall always put you first because you deserve no less. We are eternally grateful for your continued support and prayers for the administration,” Gov. Otti stated.
He said that he was not surprised that the work ethics in Abia had changed drastically in the last 23 months “as the civil service system has changed from the poor treatment of workers which was the case before now to catering for the workers’ welfare” in line with his campaign promises.
“I am glad that we have been faithful to our campaign promise of regular and prompt payment of workers’ entitlements without forgetting those who offered their best to the State in their most active years and are now retired.
“Last year, we made a promise that Abia shall be amongst the first to pay whatever was agreed as the new national minimum wage by the Federal Government and representatives of the organised labour.
“I am pleased to report that we kept that promise. We are not just paying the N70, 000 new minimum wage, we are paying it promptly and regularly.
The Governor said that he has introduced higher wage rates for employees in the critical development sectors, informing the workers that, just this week, he approved a new payment structure for employees of the State Government working in the health sector and put them on the same compensation bracket with their counterparts at the federal establishments.
According to him, beyond financial compensation, the government is also changing the physical environment where workers function from, saying that, the Nnamdi Azikiwe and the Workers’ Secretariats in Umuahia have undergone major structural transformation and facility upgrade over the last 12 months with power and water supply fully restored to guarantee optimal productivity and comfort for the staff.
He added that the State Civil Service Commission has moved to a new modern secretariat complex, completed and commissioned the JAAC Building, which now houses several agencies of government among others.
“At the Government House, personnel attached to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Press Office, Government House Clinic and others would soon forget the ugly environment of the not-too-distant past as we await the successful completion of their new office complexes.
“The new structures are supported by independent energy sources, water supply systems and like we envision for all government offices in the State, steady and reliable high speed internet network,” Gov. Otti stated.
Otti disclosed that in the past 23 months, his government had committed sums in excess of N30 billion to offset arrears “but we are still not done.”
He further said that he is in discussion with many State workers who were arbitrarily dismissed from the civil service by the past government for reason of where they originally hailed from.
The State Chief Executive said that he recently launched the formal sector health insurance programme with civil servants as the primary target, adding that about 20, 000 persons have since been enrolled for the programme.
He assured the workers that he would carefully consider all the requests of the Labour leaders and congratulated them on the Workers’ Day celebration.
Speaking also, the Chairman of the event and member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi, Hon. Amobi Ogah, commended Governor Otti for prioritizing the welfare of workers in the State.
He charged workers to continue the struggle for better tomorrow and called on workers to work for the reelection of the Governor in 2027.
Earlier in a joint address of the NLC and TUC, the Chairman, NLC, Abia State Council, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya said, May Day is significant in the lives of workers and described the theme for the year, “Reclaiming the civic space in the midst of economic hardship,” as apt.
He thanked the Governor for his outstanding works since he assumed office and said that he has built a new Abia that every well-meaning citizen is proud to identify with as well as the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Comrade Ogbonnaya used the opportunity to request him to look into certain issues affecting workers including contributory pension scheme, health insurance scheme for Abia workers, arbitrary taxation on salaries of Abia Workers, lack of Abia Labour House among others.
