Okezie Ikpeazu, the Governor of Abia State, has assured that his administration will always prioritize regular salary payments to workers in the interest of industrial harmony in the state.
Governor Ikpeazu stated this on Wednesday when he received in audience the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Professionals, Abia State Council at Government House Umuahia.
The Governor, however, reminded the workers that they must also appreciate the genuine challenges that face the government especially in the face of dwindling revenues.
He called for the understanding and cooperation of workers when such issues come up, especially in situations where they are caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He appreciated the leadership of JOHESU for their warm acknowledgements of the efforts of his administration in managing the challenges in the health sector and frowned at the attitude of some other unions who despite receiving three months salary arrears in December still embarked on strike in January this year.
He promised to take a second look at the recent circular for the implementation of CONHESS with a view to correcting the perceived anomaly.
The Governor also noted the requests made by the Union and assured that his administration will donate a vehicle to them for their activities soon.
Earlier in his speech, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya said the union’s visit was to appreciate the efforts of the Governor on issues that border on workers’ welfare especially with regards to JOHESU.
He highlighted the implementation of CONHESS to Health Workers, the release of running costs to the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency and Local Government Health Secretaries in the State, the release of salary arrears to various Health workers among others as some of the Governor’s gestures to the Union and assured him of their support at all times.
He, however, implored Governor Ikpeazu to take a second at the implementation of CONHESS as his directive was wrongly implemented by the leadership of the Civil Service through the current circular.
In his speech also, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe who appreciated the Governor, pleaded that the recent circular on the implementation of CONHESS should cover all health workers in the interest of peace, justice and equity.
DAILY POST reports that Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Jonathan Osuji, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr Anthony Agbazuere, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Felix Chinwendu Joe were amongst other officials of the State Government who witnessed the event.
We are committed to welfare of our workers – Gov Ikpeazu
