Soludo approves implementation of CONHESS

It was jubilation in Imo State at the weekend, as the state government fulfilled its promise by commencing payment of N104,000 minimum wage for state workers.
 
However, the government also announced that it would soon commence the closure of all illegal private primary and secondary schools in the 27 local councils of the state, threatening to arrest violators.
 
Relatedly, Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, approved the 100 per cent implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for state health workers, with immediate effect.
 
Imo workers who received payment notification reflecting the new way on their phones expressed joy to God and Governor Hope Uzodimma for the gesture.
 
Uzodimma had, a few weeks ago, approved payment of N104,000 for any fresh government worker; N513,000 for medical doctors, and N220,000 entry point salary for lecturers in the state’s tertiary institutions.

The approval and subsequent payment have placed Imo as the highest in the ladder of states paying the national minimum wage as pegged at N70,000. Lagos is second with N88,000 and Rivers is third with N85,000. Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa are at par, with each offering N80,000.

In a statement made available to The Guardian yesterday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Eze Ugochukwu, asserted that the raise would bolster the economy of the state, placing the workers on a happy mood.

Ugochukwu said: “Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration is spearheading this considerable policy change, which is poised to have a substantial impact on the state’s economic and social well-being. 
 
According to him, the ramifications of this adjustment will be far-reaching, with economic activity getting a boost, as increased spending will give the local economy a lift.

UZODIMMA’S threat to the schools was contained in a statement issued at the weekend by the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof Bernard Ikegwuoha.
 
The statement reads: “This is to inform all private proprietors of schools (nursery, primary and secondary) that monitoring of schools and closure of illegal private schools and schools operating with expired approval letters will soon commence effectively across the state.
 
“Proprietors of private schools whose schools have been closed down due to one issue or another, including illegal schools marked closed down with red and have been cleaned off and reopened without regularisation in an unauthorised manner, will be arrested by police.”

IN a statement entitled ‘100 Percent Implementation of Consolidated Health Workers Salary Structure (CONHESS)’ issued by Anambra Head of Service, Theodora Igwebe, all relevant bodies were directed to commence implementation without delay.
 
The statement revealed that Soludo graciously approved the full implementation of CONHESS 2024 for the following categories of health professionals: nurses, nurse anesthetists, psychiatric nurses, community health workers and technicians, medical health technicians, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers and physiotherapists.
 
According to the statement, the approval applies to all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the Local Government Service Commission.
 
It also directed the accountant-general of the state and the accountant-general for local government to ensure the immediate execution of the directive.