By Chesa Chesa
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State on Thursday insisted that his administration is up-to-date on salary payments in the State.
The Governor while fielding questions from State House journalists, after joining the candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Kogi and Bayelsa to receive his gubernatorial flag from President Bola Tinubu, ahead of the November 11 gubernatorial elections, challenged Imo civil servants being owed salary arrears in the state, to come out openly and say so.
Uzodinma insisted that he has been “paying salaries regularly, since he assumed office, January, 2020”
“I came into office in January, 2020, salaries are now received through automated system established by me.
Speaking on the protest rally spearheaded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its president, Joe Ajaero, the Governor alleged plans to use his political opponents in the state to blackmail him.
He disclosed that the Imo State Council of the NLC had resisted attempt to be used to derail government activities, which led to its suspension by the NLC national body, and institution of a care taker committee for Imo NLC.
“I do not interfere in Imo labour matters, but I had to resist any attempt to force Imo civil servants to embark on demonstration.
Uzodinma who described the Imo drama as “sensitive”, believes there is an attempt to blackmail his government.
He however insisted that “Imo people have already taken their decision”
