ABIA FIRST IN S’EAST TO IMPLEMENT CONLESS FOR ASSEMBLY WORKERS

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved a 25 per cent salary increase for eligible legislative workers, with implementation scheduled to begin in January 2027.

The approval covers staff of the Abia State House of Assembly and the House of Assembly Service Commission under the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure, known as CONLESS.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Njoku Ukoha, Abia is the first state in the South-East to adopt the structure.

Ukoha said the decision followed recommendations from a committee established to work out its implementation.

CONLESS provides a salary framework for employees of the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and their service commissions. Parliamentary workers in several states have continued to demand its adoption.

The new arrangement is intended to address pay disparities, improve staff welfare and strengthen the administration of Abia’s legislative institutions.