Otti to start paying Abia workers N70,000 minimum wage from October

Abis State Government, led by Governor Alex Otti, has announced that it will commence the payment of N70,00 minimum wage to its workers in October 2024.

The development was disclosed during a press briefing by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

The announcement followed the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday and chaired by Governor Otti.

According to Kanu, the decision underscores the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of workers in the state.

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

Otti willing to pay higher than 70,000 minimum wage

Kalu explained that, while the national minimum wage is the benchmark, the Otti-led government is prepared to adjust as deemed necessary.

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

For his part, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Sunny Onwuma, reaffirmed that Abia State is set to implement the N70,000 minimum wage for its workers.

In addition, Kanu revealed that the government has granted approval for the procurement of nine road projects across the three senatorial zones of the state.

He highlighted the feats of the “Clean Up Abia Initiative” spearheaded by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), which has been instrumental in keeping Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia clean.

The Commissioner further stated that ASEPA had deployed over 100 waste receptacles across the state between July and September and extended its cleanliness efforts to the Lokpanta abattoir in Umunneochi LGA, as well as abattoirs in Uzuakoli and Arochukwu.

He disclosed that the United Nations Habitat has invited the Greater Aba Development Authority and ASEPA to a conference in Egypt to share Abia’s success story in environmental management.