The Abia state government has approved the payment of N45,000 in wage awards for public servants in the state at N15,000 each month for a period of 3 months, with effect from July 2024.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this Monday while briefing the press on the outcome of this week’s state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, stating that the wage award is part of efforts by the state government to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

Prince Kanu, while restating the commitment of the state governor’s administration to the welfare of Abia workers, also announced that the government would soon commence payment of annual leave allowances to civil servants who actually observe their annual leave, stating, “Because of the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare, he accepted to pay Abia workers a wage award of 45 thousand naira in total, but at 15 thousand per month over the course of three months.

“What we inherited was accumulated leave allowances, but all that would be a thing of the past now given the governor’s commitment, which he made even before the meeting with the organised labour. Once any Abia worker is due for leave, he or she will be paid his or her leave allowance,” Prince Kanu stated.

On the outbreak of cholera, the Information Commissioner said that the state is cholera and diphtheria-free, as all the 112 suspected cases of cholera recorded in 8 LGAS of the state have tested negative after being taken to the laboratory in Lagos, adding that those in the health sector of the state government are working round the clock to ensure that any emergency is tackled head-on.

“I want to announce to us that Abia is cholera- and diphtheria-free. Between the 30th of June and the 7th of July, a total of 112 suspected cases of cholera were reported, cutting across 8 LGAs.

“Following various tests carried out and the samples collected across these 8 LGAs, there were no reported cases of death and not even a confirmed case of cholera.

“There were some reported cases, about 12 reported cases of diphtheria across the state, particularly in just two LGAs, Osisioma and Umuahia South.

“Unfortunately, there were three deaths resulting from those suspected cases, but the test did not confirm that there were further cases of diphtheria.

Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Ngozi Azodoh, said that all suspected cases of cholera collected across 8 (eight) LGAS tested negative after laboratory tests, adding that they are working with relevant agencies to ensure that Abia maintains cholera-free status and stressing the need for all to imbibe the attitude of good hygiene.

“We, in accordance with the protocols, conducted a rapid diagnostic test, and out of those rapid diagnostic tests, only 3 came out RDT positive.

“We had to send those RDT-positive cases to the national reference laboratory for confirmation, and we are happy that all of them came back negative.

“So we are cholera-free as a state. However, we will continue to maintain high levels of surveillance.

“We also had a diphtheria scare at Umueze community, very close to Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba.

“We identified 12 people, we treated them, and they are doing well. We also designated Abia State University Teaching Hospital as the treatment centre.” Azodoh maintained.

Responding to questions on the recent reversal of command promotions by the state government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, said that the reversal was necessitated following the abuse of the process and stressed that further details on the policy would be given.

“It (the Command Promotion) was used to usurp the rights of others. For instance, we had a situation where someone who was in Grade 12 was just taken far above his seniors in Grades 13, 14, and 15 and appointed a permanent secretary.

“So it was causing problems in the system, and that is what is being corrected. We have started the process of correcting the mess,” Mr Ekeoma stated. (Nigerian Tribune)

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