The Mazi Organisation (TMO), has observed with keen interest, the recent announcement by Governor Hope Uzodinma regarding the increment of minimum wage from N70,000 to N104,000 for civil servants in Imo State.
However, attempts to verify the details or a breakdown of the governor’s proclamation have been difficult, as there is yet, no officially endorsed release by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State or the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation.
According to Cajetan Duke, JP, Spokesman, The Mazi Organisation, this, again, has raised doubts about the sincerity and feasibility of the implementation.
“While this development, would have been welcomed wholeheartedly by the people of Imo State, especially the hardworking workforce that continue to labour under harsh economic realities and unfortunate deprivations, we are worried that such news did not elicit the kind of excitement or jubilation expected from civil servants, as most workers received it with mixed reactions, reflecting deep-seated weariness from repeated failed promises and half-implemented policies.”
“Without doubt, Imo workers are obviously tired of being told what sounds good on paper but never reaches their pockets.”
“In addition, we have been inundated with calls from teachers, pensioners and civil servants, who complain bitterly of unpaid or incomplete salaries, arrears stretching back as far as 2020, endless and futile verification exercises that have yielded no tangible relief and cases of denial of due increments for promoted staff.”
“We are further alarmed by reports that most workers, who hitherto earned N70,000, after two step promotions, earn around N82,000 instead of about N120,000. The story is the same with many workers, who were successful in the 2023 promotion exercise, but still stuck on their old salaries without any increment.”
“In a standardized system, salaries and pensions are tabulated with all accruals clearly stated. Sadly, in Imo State, the reverse is the case, creating opacity and confusion rather than transparency.”
“Reports reveal that a large number of our senior citizens are still languishing in despair as arrears remain unpaid despite recent announcement by the Governor of approval of N16 billion for the settlement of outstanding gratuities.”
“There are also complaints and indeed reports have confirmed that Imo State government has yet to fully implement the already approved N70,000 minimum wage signed into law last year, with some workers still being paid the old N30,000 and in some cases, receiving incomplete payments.”
“These inconsistencies have deepened workers’ hardship and cast doubt on the government’s commitment to transparency and sincerity in matters concerning workers’ welfare.”
“TMO, therefore calls on the Imo State Government to clarify the following to Imo people:
1. Publish the details and authenticity of the reported wage increase and clearance of outstanding gratuities.
2. Publish an officially endorsed implementation framework detailing timelines, categories of workers affected, and modalities for payment.
3. Address the backlog of unpaid gratuities and pensions by ensuring transparent and full disbursement of the announced N16 billion.
4. Ensure that workers promoted since 2020 receive their full and rightful adjustments and arrears of all increments and allowances.
5. Stop the selective and incomplete payment of salaries and adopt a fair, transparent system for all categories of workers.”
“We equally appeal to the Government of Imo State to show compassion and empathy towards the plight of the suffering masses, particularly civil servants and pensioners, who are the backbone of the state. The time has come to comprehensively improve their working conditions and restore their dignity.”
“The Mazi Organisation restates the avowed commitment of our leader, Dr. Chima Amadi, to the welfare of Imo workers and retirees, who gave their youthful energy and strength to the service of the state. For Dr. Amadi, it is a burning desire to see a motivated, dignified, and living workforce that will effectively drive the state’s bureaucracy and policy implementation.”
“TMO also believes that a sincere commitment to workers’ welfare is not just about repeated media proclamations but about practical and consistent action that reaches every worker, every pensioner and every family, who depend on the monthly pay for survival.”