₦airaland Forum

Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti has clarified the nagging issues surrounding some deductions in the salaries of some civil servants in the state.

Otti made the clarification at the Government House, Umuahia, on Friday night during his monthly media interaction with newsmen.

He said that the government had conducted investigations in response to the complaints by some civil servants about deductions in their salaries.

Otti said that the investigation revealed that the migration from the use of 2018/2019 tax rate to the current tax rate in deducting the taxes from salaries was responsible for the difference.

“A lot of people who felt their salaries were being reduced, when we investigated those complaints, we found that what actually happened was that before now an old tax rate was being applied.

“The 2018/2019 tax rate was being applied and there was a 2021/2022 tax law, which of course, has come into effect.

“I find it difficult to accept that somebody is pinching salaries, then how do you even do it, because the money leaves the account of the state and hits the account of the beneficiary?

“So, at what point would somebody deduct the salaries, and if you deduct, where do you take it to?”

The governor also said that the government had investigated the complaint about salary disparity in some Local Government Areas of the state and “we found that it is not true”.

Otti also attributed the development to tax deductions, using the current rate.

He said that the government had evolved a policy that allows the payment of overtime allowance to a civil servant that performs “overtime duties”, based on the request of the government.

He said, “If you were getting paid overtime and you were getting some overtime, now the government says you are not supposed to work overtime. Except if there is a need for that and it is the government that would ask you to do that.

“I think that is what people are mistaking for salary being deducted.”

On minimum wage, Otti said that the government had set up a committee to look into the issue as it awaited more clarifications from the Federal Government on the matter.

He said: “You know the minimum wage announcement was just about the minimum wage of N70,000.

“What that means is that every other person’s salary would go up.

“So, it is not just going to be minimum wage for civil servants every other salary would be adjusted accordingly.”

According to him, the government and the Nigerian Labour Congress are already interfacing to work out a solution that would be practicable and within the state’s meagre resources.

Otti said that the government had placed the issue of the new minimum wage on the front burner.

“As we even prepare for a review of the budget after the virement, we are already making provisions for increase of salaries on the basis of the new minimum wage,” he said.

The governor also spoke on how Abia’s share of the Federal Government’s trucks of rice was distributed to the people.

He said that the government resolved to share the palliative among the poorest of the poor in society and workers in the lowest rung of the civil service ladder.

Funkyswagzz:
.”

On minimum wage, Otti said that the government had set up a committee to look into the issue as it awaited more clarifications from the Federal Government on the matter.

He said: “You know the minimum wage announcement was just about the minimum wage of N70,000.

According to him, the government and the Nigerian Labour Congress are already interfacing to work out a solution that would be practicable and within the state’s meagre resources.


https://punchng.com/abia-gov-gives-reasons-for-salary-deductions/

Richtaiwo:
Nawao. So out of the 18k monthly salary, dem still dey deduct? Unintelligent handle mobs are coming to defend it, yet they call others slaves. Is it the meaning of slave has changed?

Ebigwei007:
you dont really no how the system works, listen and learn

Richtaiwo:
But fed govt and other non Igbo states are not systems, not to talk of how they work shey? So how does the system work in such a way that less than 18k should last a family for a month. Shameless.

Ebigwei007:
keep calm and learn, minimum wage is 70k, then in both fedral and state, we have levels and steps, so they have to caculate them, then after that they remove both pensions, housing, and NHIS, etc. Then when it is done they then pay them their salaries.
If they are to pay the 650k as the wage, if then means that some worker might take home like 2million plus as monthly salary.

Richtaiwo:
Funny. I'm talking about a state that can't pay beyond 18k, which one is 650k and 2 million? Who is talking about states that care for their workers? How much is Abia paying when other states are paying 30k?

Funkyswagzz:
Read the article comprehensively before commenting

Richtaiwo:
How much is Abia state paying as minimum wage? Answer the question or gtfo my mention.

Funkyswagzz:
Transparency is the key to holding the government accountable. Dr Alex otti is making sure that nobody is left behind. A true leader remains true to his people.

Nlfpmob

richidinho:
He speaks to his people on monthly basis

This is a true leader that is ready to govern

JagabanB:
If Sanwi-Olu or any APC governor said this, u will lament about how the only thing APC knows is taxing people, u wiII cûrsè them for paying 18k minimum wage without implementing the new minimum wage but implementing latest taxing.
You see the double standards in Lienus and his followers?
Once it is done by someone we like, we clap for the person and sing praises, once it is done by someone we don't like, we demonize it.
U foIks are the bane of the society.

Funkyswagzz:
Sanwo olu is a good governor no one is disputing that.. except you say otherwise

JagabanB:
I just used him as an example, if the Imo governor said this, lgb0s will flood this page Iaying cûrsès simply because he's from a party they don't like.
lgb0s say they don't support evil, the truth is, if the evil is what lgb0s like, they will paint it to be good.

Funkyswagzz:
There's nothing evil here when you read the article you will understand what is actually going on. I can't read it for you right?

JagabanB:
Will you say the same thing if it happens to APC governor?
U know the answer

Funkyswagzz:
I'm not into what governors are doing in there various states

Funkyswagzz:
Sanwo olu is a good governor no one is disputing that.. except you say otherwise

richidinho:
He speaks to his people on monthly basis

This is a true leader that is ready to govern

GeneralPula:
Hmm. Now I understand why he used 1 billion to eat in 3months..

He’s a true leader indeed. Abia people are very lucky to have Otti..

JagabanB:
I just used him as an example, if the Imo governor said this, lgb0s will flood this page Iaying cûrsès simply because he's from a party they don't like.
lgb0s say they don't support evil, the truth is, if the evil is what lgb0s like, they will paint it to be good.

yommen:
Oh so Sanwo Olu is a good governor now?