Uzodimma moves to restore education standards in Imo

Assures workers of N70,000 minimum wage implementation 

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has expressed determination to care for the large number of out-of-school children, due to lack of funds and parental care, by reviving the education sector.

The governor also pledged to seek the face of God through interventionist activities by increasing participation in pilgrimages in the state.

To empower parents and guardians to assist his administration in its bold policies, Uzodimma reassured workers in the state that his government is committed to implementing the N70,000 minimum wage as already approved by the Federal Government.

Uzodimma, while inaugurating a five-man Pilgrims Welfare Board and a four-man Scholarship Board, at Douglas House, Owerri, said the two boards were critical to his administration, adding that the boards would help to improve the standard of education and enhance the people’s faith in God.

Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev (Fr) Gilbert Alaribe, who is the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Owerri, while thanking the governor for finding them worthy to serve, promised that they would work to improve the pilgrimage experience of Imo people and harmonise inter-faith groups in the state.

Briefing newsmen, yesterday, after a closed-door meeting with Labour leaders in Imo, Uzodimma said commencement of payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage in the state “is around the corner”, as his government and Labour leaders were already working out the modalities.

He described the new minimum wage as appropriate; hence, his government committed to its implementation.

The governor noted that the present cost of living and the situation of things, globally, necessitated the creation of better incentives for the working community.

Apart from using the minimum wage to stimulate the economy, the governor emphasised that the Federal Government also considered cushioning the effect of the hardship the workers were facing to approve the new national minimum wage.

He urged the workers in Imo to “show more commitment and be more productive.”

According to the governor, since the new minimum wage of N70,000 is already known to everyone, “what is needed is to work out the modalities on the consequential adjustments for it to trickle down to the senior staff cadre because it is not for the junior workers alone, and by so doing the incentives, no matter the ration, will go round.”