Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved a new minimum wage of N104,000 for civil servants in the state, in response to the prevailing economic realities in the country.
Uzodimma announced the wage increase on Tuesday night during a meeting with various labour union leaders at the Government House in Owerri. He emphasised that no government can thrive without maintaining a cordial relationship with organised labour.
The new wage package raises the minimum wage from N76,000 to N104,000. Doctors in the state will now earn a minimum of N503,000, up from N215,000, while lecturers in tertiary institutions will receive N222,000, compared to the previous N119,000.
The governor acknowledged the challenges Imo citizens have endured since his administration took office in 2020, including insecurity, the COVID-19 pandemic, subsidy removal, and recurring disputes over wages.
“When workers are paid well, productivity rises, families are happier, and the local economy grows. This is our way of investing in Imo people,” Uzodimma said. “The government believes in stimulating political and economic activities, carrying bureaucrats along, and ensuring that workers’ welfare is highly respected.”
Uzodimma noted significant progress in the state’s finances, stating that Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had grown from N400 million to over N3 billion monthly. He also disclosed that federal allocations to Imo had risen from between N5 billion and N7 billion in 2020 to about N14 billion, while the state’s debt profile had dropped from over N280 billion to less than N100 billion.
The governor further revealed that his administration had committed huge resources to rebuild collapsed infrastructure, particularly roads, and to combat insecurity. He said that while the removal of fuel subsidy had increased the cost of living, it also had long-term benefits for the economy.
Uzodimma also announced that the state government would begin payment of the last batch of gratuity owed to pensioners—amounting to N16 billion—on August 27.
On health, he highlighted reforms such as the launch of health insurance schemes and the equipping of medical facilities to provide world-class treatment. He also said Imo had keyed into the Federal Government’s project of establishing 1,000 businesses in every INEC ward.
The governor urged labour unions to strengthen collaboration with government, stressing the need for workers to add value and avoid unethical practices in the workplace.
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