Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State says he is considering reducing
the number of work days in the state from five to three, to enable the
government cut salaries.
Okorocha said this while briefing journalists on the state of affairs in Imo at his residence in Owerri on Friday.
He said the reduction of work days would enable workers to attend to
other activities that would generate money to supplement their monthly
salaries to take care of their families.
“I encourage Imo workers to find additional things to do to support
their families because of the economic situation we are facing in
Nigeria.
“We are considering to reduce the working days from five to three in
Imo, so that workers will use the rest of the days to work and support
their families,” he said.
Okorocha, who was not specific on when it may commence, added that
Imo government was equally planning to review workers’ salaries
downward.
He said that in spite of the current payment of 70 percent of
salaries to workers, the state still paid the highest salary scale among
South-Eastern states of Abia, Anabmbra, Ebonyi and Enugu.
“Directors in these other South-Eastern states receive something a
little above N90, 000 while in Imo they receive more than N100, 000.
“We intend to clear salary arrears up to July by next week. After
that, we will consider downward review of salary to workers to be at par
with other states of South-East,” he said.
On the just-concluded rerun election, Okorocha commended Imo people
for electing the candidates of APC in Imo North Senatorial District,
Isiala Mbano and Oru East State Constituencies.
He said with the victory, APC had shown that it was strong in the South-East and should be given its due right.
“With these victories, it shows that APC candidates won most of the
national and state assembly seats during the 2015 general elections.
“I call on the leadership of the National Assembly (Senate), to
correct the abnormality in its leadership which resulted in an
opposition member occupying the Deputy Senate President seat,’’ he said.
On his urban renewal programme, Mr. Okorocha said the relocation of
Ekeukwu-Owerri market, Orji and Nekede Mechanic villages to Avu was
irreversible.
“From Monday, Aug. 1, a taskforce to enforce the relocation order for
the mechanics will commence work, and I am advising vehicle owners not
to take their vehicles to any of these places from Monday,” he said.
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