(DDM) – Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has announced a significant upward review of salaries for civil servants, doctors, and lecturers in response to prevailing economic realities in Nigeria.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the governor made the announcement on Tuesday night during a meeting with leaders of various labour unions at the Government House, Owerri.
The new wage package sees the minimum salary for civil servants raised from N76,000 to N104,000.
Medical doctors in the state will now earn a minimum of N503,000, a substantial increase from N215,000.
Lecturers in tertiary institutions will also benefit from the review, with their minimum wage adjusted from N119,000 to N222,000.
Government–labour partnership emphasised
Governor Uzodimma stressed that no government can thrive without maintaining a cordial relationship with organised labour.
He explained that fair compensation enhances productivity, improves family welfare, and drives economic growth within the state.
“When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people,” he said.
Revenue growth and debt reduction
The governor highlighted the impressive increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which has grown from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly since his administration began in 2020.
He also noted that federal allocations to the state had risen from between N5 billion and N7 billion to N14 billion, while the state’s debt profile had been reduced from N280 billion to less than N100 billion.
Overcoming economic challenges
Uzodimma acknowledged that his administration had faced challenges, including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic hardship resulting from policy reforms such as fuel subsidy removal.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidies, stating that while it raised living costs, it would yield long-term economic benefits for Nigerians.
Pensioners to receive gratuity payments
The governor also announced that payment of the final batch of gratuity arrears, totalling N16 billion, would begin on August 27, bringing relief to pensioners in the state.
He further revealed reforms in the health sector, including the introduction of health insurance schemes and the upgrade of medical facilities to deliver world-class healthcare.
Call for collaboration
Uzodimma urged labour unions to maintain unity and foster good relations with the government.
He called on civil servants to demonstrate value addition and avoid unethical practices and redundancy at work.
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