The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has urged Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, to extend the recently approved salary improvement for legislative workers to other categories of public servants in the state.
The appeal followed the governor’s approval of a 25 per cent implementation of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for eligible employees of the Abia State House of Assembly and the Assembly Service Commission, effective January 2027.
The approval, according to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha, was based on recommendations from a committee established to develop the implementation framework.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Wednesday, FENRAD’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, commended the governor, describing the approval as a positive step towards improving workers’ welfare, addressing salary disparities and strengthening legislative administration.
However, Nwafor called on the state government to adopt an inclusive approach by extending similar salary improvement measures to workers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He specifically identified teachers, healthcare professionals, local government employees, administrative personnel and other public servants as categories deserving improved remuneration, better working conditions and institutional support.
While acknowledging the distinct salary structure for legislative workers, the FENRAD director maintained that its implementation should not exclude other public servants from benefiting from government welfare policies.
The organisation also urged the state government to ensure transparent implementation of the approved adjustment, adequate budgetary provisions, periodic salary reviews and sustained engagement with organised labour and civil society groups.
FENRAD stressed that good governance should be measured not only by infrastructure development and policy announcements but also by the extent to which government policies improve workers’ living conditions, dignity and economic security.