Abia State Governor Orders The Immediate Payment Of Striking Workers Salaries

Governor of Abia state, Okezie Ikpeazu, has instructed the Accountant-General to begin immediate payment of salaries to striking workers in ministries and parastatals in the state.

The order to pay the workers comes amidst challenges the government faces with its bankers.

In a statement signed by Barr Chris Ezem, Secretary to the State Government, the governor directed all affected staff to resume work at their offices immediately and ensure resumption of activities in all ministries and the office of the Accountant-General for implementation of this directive.

The statement said in part, “Any breach of this directive will frustrate the on-going transition process and other activities.

“The attention of Government has been drawn to the on-going strike by Nigeria labour Congress, Abia state chapter, which commenced mid-night of Monday 8th May and has paralyzed government activities across the ministries, parastatals, cabinet office and office of the Accountant-General which is responsible for payment of salary.

“It is public knowledge that the recent protracted court order freezing various government accounts affected payment of salaries to ministries and parastatals for the months of March and April 2023.”

The governor clarified that no core civil servant and or ministry was owed salaries before now and that salaries of local government staff were up to date “save for the inherited 5 months arrears out of which three months have been paid and the outstanding two months are being addressed.”