The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu,has issued an order directing all workers in the state to call off their current strike and report to their various workplaces.
Government operations have been halted since the state’s civil servants went on strike at midnight on May 8 over the non-payment of workers’ salaries.
The Abia chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is reported to have given approval for staff in the relevant offices in compliance with the government’s directive to resume work, but with the stipulation that the staff will picket the offices if by Monday workers were not paid their owed salaries.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, said in a statement on Sunday that the return to work is necessary to ensure that the governor’s directive to pay the workers’ salary arrears is carried out.
In the statement, Ezem noted that the state government was conscious of its obligation to its workforce and will ensure there are no half measures as it affect the welfare of Abia workers.
Ezem noted that the non-payment of salaries to ministries and parastatals for the months of March and April 2023 was caused by the recent court ruling freezing various Government Accounts.
He said: “Despite the current challenge of the State Government with its Bankers, the Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the office of the Accountant General to commence payment of salaries to ministries and parastatals from today (Friday, May 12, 2023).
“Accordingly, Government wish to place on record that no core civil servant and or ministry are owed salaries before now.
“Furthermore, salaries of local Government staff are up to date save for the inherited five months arrears, out of which three months has been paid and the outstanding two months is being addressed”.
Ada Peter
