‘Abia, Not Indebted To Workers’

The Abia State Government is not owing its workers, the Chief Press Secretary to the government Ugochukwu Emezue, has said.

Emezue also said the new minimum wage of N20,100, which Governor Theodore Orji, approved had been paid to all workers.

He said those who had not been paid were from some local governments, whose accountants refused to submit their lists before salary vouchers were prepared.

The state image maker  said those who were saying the government was owing its workers were not telling the truth.

Emezue said the workers who had been paid were those who were captured by the biometrics machine.

He said the exercise had helped the government to identify over 558 ghost workers.

In another development, Governor Theodore Orji has approved the dethronement of the traditional ruler of Agbaja Nkporo autonomous community in Ohafia local government, following a tussle over the stool.

The dethronement was contained in a letter to the former traditional ruler, Eze Agwu Nwankwo Kalu and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Emma Nwabuko.

The February 16 letter reads, “following the report of the disciplinary committee on the community unrest, Governor Theodore Orji has approved the withdrawal of your recognition as a traditional ruler in Abia State.

All rights and privileges, accruing to you as a traditional ruler, are hereby with drawn.

Consequently, you are directed to return your staff of office and certificate of recognition as traditional ruler to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs within 14 days”.