Imo workers, Thursday May 1, 2025 joined their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the Workers Day at the Ndubuisi Kalu Square, Owerri.
They did with pomp and circumstance with dance, appearing in different colourful apparel and marched past to salute the number one man on their day.
Addressing the workers who came out in their numbers and in solidarity, Governor Hope Uzodimma commended them for the mood of the celebration which he likened to the healthy relationship that exists between their Labour Unions and the government and their collective resolve to deal with the welfare of the workers in Imo State.
Governor Uzodimma who congratulated the workers, and assured them that all issues relating to shortfalls in the payment of consequential adjustment in the new minimum wage and promotions will be resolved, however urged them to “always adopt dialogue rather than confrontation as means of resolving differences.”
He recalled and regretted that for many years before 2020, Imo workers suffered abandonment by previous administrations without promotions, suffered manipulated payroll system, irregular payment of pensions, and non payment of gratuities for well over 15 years.
Governor Uzodimma noted that 2025 May Day celebration calls for a reflection on the greater path that the Imo workers have trod until now they are enjoying the automated payroll system, regular payment of salaries and pensions as well as payment of gratuities to retired workers, and the promise to commence payment of the second tranche of gratuities to pensioners.
“You have every reason to smile today and be happy,” he stated.
The Governor disclosed that plans are underway for special salary scale for teachers and medical personnel.
“We insensitive to attract the best hands in these sectors because we understand the critical role they play in shaping our future,” he explained, and thanked the State House of Assembly for repealing the obsolete laws preventing reforms in the health sector, and making new laws to drive the health care in the State.
The new laws, he said, would allow Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the Health Management System, to steer and provide effective and quality health care to Imo people.
Governor Uzodimma used the opportunity to encourage the civil servants to enroll in the Health Insurance Scheme initiated by his government as the benefits cannot be measured.
The Governor also promised to increase the number of buses in the fleet that takes civil servants to and fro office, but charged workers to strive to be civil in their conduct and actions as government will not tolerate indolence and corrupt practices.
Earlier, the Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, Imo State Council, Comrade Chigemezu Nwigwe, on behalf of the leadership of the Labour Unions in the State, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his friendly disposition to workers and for the regular payment of salaries and pensions to verified workers and pensioners.
He further commended the Governor for giving Imo workers a sense of belonging through the provision of buses to transport them to and fro work as well, and making the State Secretariat a most conducive place to work.
Nwigwe further thanked the Governor for the commencement of the payment of the long abandoned gratuities of pensioners and appealed for the exercise to continue because of those who are yet to be paid.
He assured of the support and cooperation of Imo workers to the growth and development of the State.
Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor
May 1, 2025
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State