By Onwuasoanya FCC
In recent days, there have been attempts by some opposition mercenaries to push a campaign of misinformation against Imo State civil servants.
While acknowledging that civil servants across Nigeria deserve better than they are currently receiving in salaries and allowances, it is important to clarify that Imo State civil servants under His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, are better off than their counterparts in other parts of the country.
Let’s go through some of the undeniable realities about the Imo State civil service under the “Shared Prosperity” administration of His Excellency.
1. Governor Uzodimma implemented the last Minimum Wage increment of 30,000 Naira to Imo State civil servants.
2. Imo State is one of the few States in the entire country where civil servants and pensioners receive their salaries without delay. Imo is not owing civil servants any arrears in salaries.
3. Imo civil servants are among the highest paid in the country.
4. Governor Uzodimma abolished the 70-30 percent arrangement which he inherited from his predecessors, and authorized 100% payment to civil servants.
5. Governor Uzodimma is the first governor in about a decade to promote civil servants in the State. He actually approved double promotion across the board to all civil servants within a certain rank.
6. Imo civil servants enjoy free or subsidised transportation to work everyday, thereby, drastically saving them huge costs.
7. All public servants in Imo State receive 13th month full salary at the end of the year. Imo State is about the only State where this is applicable.
8. Governor Uzodimma regularly provides palliatives to all civil servants in the State in order to reduce the impact of the economy.
9. Imo civil servants and their immediate family members enjoy a health insurance scheme, making it possible for them to enjoy free medical care for a variety of common health challenges.
10. Imo State civil servants enjoy more favourable tax conditions than many of their counterparts across the country. Junior civil servants are completely exempted from paying tax.
While the “Shared Prosperity” administration appreciates the burdensome economic realities of the present time, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, as a compassionate, caring and highly sensitive leader, is committed to the continual improvement of the welfare of Imo civil servants and all citizens.
IMO IS WINNING!
Onwuasoanya FCC Jones is Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Public Communication.
