Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has promised the people that his government will always prioritise salary payment in the state
The governor made the comment during the visit of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Health Professionals, Abia State Council, at the Government House in Umuahia.
Ikpeazu also reminded the workers that they must also appreciate the genuine challenges the government was experiencing, especially in the face of dwindling revenues, and called for their understanding and cooperation.
He thanked the leadership of JOHESU for acknowledging his administration’s efforts in managing challenges in the health sector. He, however, frowned at the actions of some unions who, despite receiving three months salary arrears last December, still went on strike in January.
The governor also promised to take a second look at the recent circular for the implementation of CONHESS to correct the perceived anomaly.
Chairman of the union Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya said their visit was to appreciate the governor’s efforts in addressing workers’ welfare, especially as regards JOHESU.
He highlighted the implementation of CONHESS to health workers, the release of running costs to the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency and Local Government Health Secretaries in the State, the release of salary arrears to various health workers, among others, as some of the governor’s gestures to the union, and assured him of their support.
Ogbonnaya, however, urged the governor to take a second look at the implementation of CONHESS as his directive was wrongly implemented by the civil service through the current circular.