Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has restated his resolve to prioritize workers’ welfare to ensure the building of a state that works for every hard-working person.
Speaking this Thursday at the Umuahia Township Stadium during the 2025 International Workers’ Day celebration, Governor Otti reiterated the desire of his administration to make workers earn justly for their contribution to the growth of the economy.
Presenting his address titled “PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSFORMATION” the number one Abia citizen appreciated workers for embracing the work ethics and standards of the New Abia.
“The New Abia work ethic does not permit anyone leaving the office when there are still files to be attended to or tasks to be executed. You do not go home because it is 5 pm; you go home because you have effectively completed the tasks you outlined at the beginning of the day.
“My commitment to you, Abia workers, is that we shall always put you first because you deserve no less. We are eternally grateful for your continuing support and prayers for the administration, Gov. Otti stated.
While acknowledging a positive change in the work ethics in the last 23 months, he attributed it to the remarkable improvement in their welfare and expressed joy that Abia is among first states that accepted and started paying the N70,000 new minimum wage.
“I am glad that we have been faithful to our campaign promise of regular and prompt payment of workers’ entitlements without forgetting those who offered their best to the state in their most active years and are now retired.
Governor Otti who announced that his administration has approved a new pay structure for workers in the health sector also expressed happiness that the physical environment of the Nnamdi Azikiwe and the new Secretariates have undergone major structural transformation and facility upgrade over the last 12 months with power and water supply and internet facilities functional.
He further assured the personnel attached Government House, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Press Office, Government House Clinic and others that they would soon forget the ugly past.
‘The new structures are supported by independent energy sources, water supply systems and like we envision for all government offices in the State, steady and reliable high speed internet network,” Gov. Otti stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the event and member representing Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi Hon. Amobi Ogah commended Governor Otti for prioritizing the welfare of workers in the state.
Hon Ogah charged workers to continue the struggle for better tomorrow and called on them to work for the reelection of the Governor in 2027.
Earlier in a joint address of the NLC and TUC, the Chairman, NLC Abia State Council, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya thanked the Governor for his outstanding infrastructural development attainment, declaring that he has built a new Abia that every well-meaning citizen is proud to identify with.
Comrade who also lauded the Governor for implementing the new minimum wage, however, used the opportunity to request him to look into certain issues affecting workers including contributory pension scheme, health insurance scheme for Abia workers, arbitrary taxation on salaries of Abia Workers, lack of Abia Labour House among others.
