Governor Hope Uzodimma has approved a new minimum wage for workers in Imo State to N40,000.
The move is geared towards cushioning the biting effects of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
Uzodimma, in his address to State Executive Council and key stakeholders in the State in Owerri, Saturday said the removal of fuel subsidy is biting hard on the people of the State.
He announced palliatives such as review of workers salary structure, free daily meal, free medical treatment for all workers in the State and provision of more free buses for workers.
According to him, genuine farmers in the State, will also be granted a soft of N5 billion naira and be provided with seedlings and farm tools to boost their work.
He said his administration will also establish the Imo State Marketing and Commodity Board (ISMCB) to checkmate hike in prices of goods.
“I have discovered with pain, how traders are taking advantage of the economic situation to increase the prices of food items in the market.
“The State government will soon establish the Imo State Marketing and Commodity Board, which will ensure food items are sold at normal prices.
“We shall achieve this by setting up low cost markets in the State where prices of food items and commodities will be affordable for the masses. The markets will be situated in all the 27 LGAs of the State” he said
Governor Uzodimma also assured that his administration will introduce a Scholarship Education Board.
“We are introducing a Scholarship Education Board for our brilliant students whose parents are poor to train them in school.