The Abia State Government has announced that it will begin paying the new N70,000 minimum wage to its workers starting in October 2024.

This was disclosed on Tuesday during a press briefing by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, following the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday, chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said 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,? Kanu stated.

He also noted that while the national minimum wage is the benchmark, the state is prepared to adjust as deemed necessary.

?If the governor wants to deviate from the national standard and pay higher, so be it,? Kanu added.

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

Additionally, Kanu revealed that the government has approved the procurement of nine new road projects across the state?s three senatorial zones.

He also highlighted the achievements of the ?Clean Up Abia Initiative? spearheaded by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, which has been instrumental in keeping Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia clean.

Kanu further disclosed 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 added 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. (The PUNCH)

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