Imo gov Uzodimma approves ₦104,000 as new minimum wage for workers, N503,000 for doctors
In a significant move to enhance workers’ welfare, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants, positioning the state among the highest-paying in Nigeria. This landmark decision was unveiled during a meeting with labor union leaders at the Government House in Owerri on Tuesday night.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Uzodimma emphasized that the wage increase reflects his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and the state’s economic growth. The governor revealed that the minimum wage has been raised from N76,000 to N104,000. Additionally, doctors’ salaries have seen an increase from N215,000 to N503,000, while salaries for tertiary institution teachers have been adjusted from N119,000 to N222,000.
“There is no way any government will do well if it doesn’t have a friendly and cordial relationship with the organised labour,” Uzodimma stated, highlighting the importance of fair compensation for boosting productivity and overall happiness in families, ultimately benefiting the local economy.
The governor noted that improved financial stability in the state justified the wage rise, citing growth in internally generated revenue (IGR) from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly, alongside a reduction in the state’s debt profile from over N280 billion in 2020 to less than N100 billion.
He also took a moment to commend President Bola Tinubu for the removal of fuel subsidies, which he argued has positively impacted state allocations and opened doors for necessary reforms despite initial cost-of-living challenges.
“It is a thing of joy that we have started seeing the dividends of that bold decision of President Bola Tinubu to remove fuel subsidy,” Uzodimma remarked, adding that the government’s priority now is ensuring that the benefits of this policy reach everyday citizens.
Furthermore, the governor announced that the state would begin disbursing the last batch of gratuities owed to pensioners, totaling N16 billion, starting from August 27.
Responding to the announcement, Uchechigemezu Nwigwe, chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo State, hailed the new wage as a “victory for the entire workforce in the state.” He expressed gratitude to Uzodimma, affirming that no worker would deem the governor unfair in light of this significant pay hike.
“The governor has not only rescued workers from economic challenges with the pay hike but has also made the state one of the highest in terms of minimum wage,” Nwigwe stated, promising that workers would respond to the gesture with enhanced dedication and service excellence.
NAN
