Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abia State Calls for Implementation of Workers’ Promotions

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, has urged the Abia State Government to fast-track the implementation of outstanding promotion exercises for civil servants. The call follows the state government’s approval of the 2024–2025 promotion, which the union applauded.

Dependable NG reports that in a communiqué issued after its October Congress, the Abia NUJ, however, voiced regret that the previous promotion exercise had not been fully implemented. The union noted that many workers had received their letters of promotion, known as Gen. 35, but their current salaries do not reflect their new grade levels.

The communiqué, signed by the Chairman, Chidi Asonye, and the Secretary, Iyke Onuegbu, stressed that implementing these financial benefits is key to motivating efficiency and productivity across the civil service. The NUJ specifically appealed to Governor Alex Otti to direct all relevant authorities to ensure the full financial implications of the promotion exercises are settled without delay.

In a separate move, the union commended Governor Otti’s administration for its compassionate approval of an over N50 million payment to the families of 265 deceased workers, covering salary backlogs that had been owed for more than 16 years. Alongside this praise, the NUJ appealed to the Governor to fulfill the administration’s promise regarding the payment of gratuities to pensioners, a long-standing welfare issue in the state.

Addressing public utilities, the Congress called on the state government to intervene decisively in the public outcry against the power distribution company. The union urged the government to compel the company to ensure proper metering and fair billing practices for all customers.

Finally, the Abia NUJ called for a thorough investigation into the recent building collapses that have occurred in the state and demanded that the government make the report on the three-storey building that collapsed in Umuahia public.