ELECHI MAY JETTISON N18,000 MINIMUM WAGE

Elechi in a town-hall meeting with stakeholders at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki said the cost effect of the minimum wage of workers in the cadre of levels 01 to 06 alone will consume a large chunk of the allocation of the state, living a meagre amount for the development of infrastructure.

He explained further that minimum wage of workers in this category alone would gulp N1.7 billion monthly. This will gravely affect other projects crying for attention.

He said that, if the minimum wage was to be implimented as demanded by the workers, it would force the state government to prune down expenses on pilgrimages.

Adding; 'The projection for this year's budget is 20.9 billion naira out of which 17.4 billion has been realized and 12. 7 billion spent.'

Elechi noted that, over N500 million had been budgeted for the renovation of primary and secondary schools, adding that the vision would be realistic with the Universal Basic Education Board accord with the state.

He maintain that, one of the two water projects would be completed in four weeks, adding that other project like the new secretariat which has 11 blocks would be completed in January 2012.

However, the meeting had in attendance; the Deputy Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi, Senator Igwe Nwagu, representing Ebonyi Centre, Senator. Chris Nwankwo from Ebonyi North, the Speaker House of Assembly, Mr. Ikechukwu  Nwankwo and other lawmakers.