…the governor’s Press Secretary had said the governor announced an increment of 10 percent in workers salary
Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET) has described as misleading reports that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Souldo increased salary of civil servants in the state by 10%.
The Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime had, in a statement, said the governor had announced an increment of 10 percent in the salaries of workers as well as N15,000 as Christmas bonus.
But the Chairman of ACSONET, Prince Chris Azor in a statement on Wednesday, said it was not true that Soludo increased workers salary by 10%, but politely declined such request as reflected in his statement.
The statement reads, “The above headline is not entirely correct. It’s not true that Mr Governor increased workers salary by 10%. Infact he politely declined such request as reflected in his statement thus: “I received a report a few days ago recommending minor adjustments in salaries. We will review it and see if it is feasible”.
“Mr Governor actually bared his mind unapologetically by vehemently dismissing request from the Head of Service to release fund to process promotion, when he said: “We have made the budget for next year and it has been signed. Any new thing not in the budget can’t be done”
“On welfare, Mr Governor needs to do more. #15,000.00 cannot buy more than 15kg of local rice. He acknowledged this when he rightly declared: “I understand in previous years that past governments gave 25kg bag of rice to civil servants for Christmas.
“Today, 50kg bags of rice costs over forty thousand naira (₦40,000). That’s beyond the salary of a graduate in the public service. Something is not right”
“In the Social sector, Health is crying for adequate manpower. Recruitment of barely 200 (Two hundred) personnel in the general hospitals as revealed by Mr Governor, is grossly inadequate and unacceptable.
He made it clear in his speech thus:
*”On our social agenda, we are ending the era of hospitals without doctors, nurses and consultants. We have recruited over 200 personnel in our general hospitals”*
“RECOMMENDATIONS
“Recall that during the 2023 draft budget presentation at the House of Assembly, Mr Governor mooted the idea of a supplementary budget within the implementation period. We therefore, recommend a subsequent review of the budget to reflect some of the workers’ demand.
“Incremental upgrading of workers salaries and emoluments is imperative and desirable.
“We also, humbly request Mr Governor to come up with innovative strategies towards increasing workforce in the health sector. It’s also imperative to ramp up health financing for improved Service Delivery.
“We however, commend Mr Governor on gradually meeting most of his targets in security and infrastructure, as captured in his “People’s manifesto”.
