Governor Otti's Big Move: Abia State Adopts N70,000 Minimum Wage

Abia State Joins the N70,000 Minimum Wage Bandwagon, Courtesy of Governor Otti

“The state government is committed to the minimum wage, and within the...”

Minimum Wage Boost: Abia State to Pay N70,000 from October, Exceeding National Benchmark Possible

The Abia state government has made a significant announcement that will benefit civil servants in the state. Starting this October, the minimum wage for Abia state workers will be N70,000. This exciting news was shared by the state's Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press briefing on Tuesday.

According to Kanu, this decision reflects Governor Alex Otti's commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants in the state. The new minimum wage aligns with the federal government's recent approval. The Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Sunny Onwuma, also confirmed that Abia State is ready to implement the new wage structure.

Highlights of the Announcement:

New Minimum Wage: N70,000 effective October

Governor's Commitment: Improving welfare of civil servants 

Alignment with Federal Government: Recent approval of the new minimum wage 

Implementation: Abia State ready to implement the new wage structure.

“The state government is committed to the minimum wage, and within the next few days, payment of the new minimum wage will commence,” Kanu said.

Governor Alex Otti is willing to pay more than the nationally approved minimum wage of N70,000 if Abia State's finances allow it, according to Prince Okey Kanu, the state's Commissioner for Information. This announcement aligns with Governor Otti's promise to enhance the welfare of state workers. Starting October, the new minimum wage will apply to all categories of workers in Abia.

This move is part of the state's efforts to improve the lives of its citizens. Additionally, the government plans to construct 17 new court halls across the state to enhance the administration of justice and ensure the judicial process remains efficient.

“If the governor wants to deviate from the national standard and pay higher, so be it,” the commissioner added.

The Federal Government and labour unions agreed to increase the minimum wage to N70,000 earlier this year, and several states have already implemented this change. Some states are even paying more than the agreed-upon amount. For instance, states like Lagos, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Ogun, Kano, and Kaduna are reportedly capable of paying up to N62,000 without compromising their overall development. This development aims to improve the standard of living for workers across the country.

Notably, Abia State has announced its commitment to paying the N70,000 minimum wage starting October. This move demonstrates the state's dedication to enhancing workers' welfare.