Subsidy Removal: Governor Approves Free Meals, Medical Treatment For Civil Servants, Raises Minimum Wage To N40k

Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma has approved the payment of N40,000 as the new minimum wage for civil servants in the state, ostensibly to lessen the impact of the elimination of fuel subsidies.

The governor said that the current economic situation, brought on by the removal of fuel subsidies, is really biting hard on the people in an address to members of the State Executive Council, clerics, and other important Imo stakeholders yesterday at the Rockview Hotels Owerri.

He also implemented additional palliative measures, such as reviewing the salary structure of employees, approving a 10% increase in the minimum wage, stating that all state employees are entitled to a free daily meal and free medical care, and providing more free buses for Imo employees.

The governor also announced that eligible farmers in the state would receive grants and soft loans totaling N5 billion, along with seedlings and farm equipment, to increase agricultural output.

Said he: “I have discovered, with pain, how some traders are taking advantage of the economic situation to increase the prices of food items in the market. Against this backdrop, the government will soon establish Imo State Marketing and Commodity Board (ISMCB), which will ensure that food items are sold at normal prices. We shall achieve this by setting up low cost markets in the state where prices of food items and commodities will be affordable for the masses. The markets will be situated in all the 27 LGAs of the state.

“My government is also planning to build a low cost housing estate for the low-income salary earners in the state. This will be sited at Mgbidi in Orlu zone, Nekede in Owerri zone and Anara in Okigwe zone.

“In the same vein, we are introducing a Scholarship Education Board for our brilliant students whose parents are poor to train them in school. I have found out that most of our brilliant children come from poor homes and end up not furthering their education after leaving the primary and secondary school. These brilliant students will be given scholarship to higher institutions.”