As the issue of salary payment and pension continue to be a recurring decimal in Abia State, The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the March 11th polls, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, says if given the mandate, he will end the perennial problem.
He said he feels pained each time the issue of salary payments and protests by workers of the Hospital Management Board or Pensioners come to the front burner, adding that the issue brings the State and those managing it to disrepute.
High Chief Emenike who gave the revelation on Tuesday when rubbing minds with Journalists regarding his Governorship ambition, noted that his administration will thrive towards addressing the issue of salary payment and pensions by establishing a process of prompt and institutionalised payment of salaries and pensions.
He said it was wrong that after a worker had dedicated 30 working days in the service of the state, he will be owed salaries, stressing that this does not encourage workers to put in their best towards enhancing efficiency.
In his word, “Even the scripture stated it in Matthew chapter 10 verse 10 that a worker (labourer) deserves his wages. So when I hear these stories about owing of salaries, I feel heartbroken because monies for payment of salaries are given utmost attention by the Federal Government which is why they release allocation for State Governors.
Continuing, “In fact it is the right of workers including Pensioners who served the state diligently in their youthful age to get their pensions paid. It is non-negotiable because they worked for it and have every moral justification to demand same”.
He reiterated his pledge of making payment of salary and pensions utmost priority, saying that as this is one of his 23 key deliverables in rescuing Abia, he will ensure that it is achieved.
