In keeping with his promise to accord priority to the welfare of workers, the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has promised to pay workers’ January salaries on the 15.
Umahi spoke today in his country home, Uburu when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) paid him New Year homage.
The governor said that he had to step down some projects last December to give junior workers 100 percent extra salary and 50 percent to senior workers, adding: “in the next 13 days
workers will receive salary for January.”
He said that the initial misunderstanding he had with the organized labour in the state “was brought by God himself because it made us to be on our toes.”
Umahi attributed the success so far recorded by his administration to God’s instruction, and promised workers of better welfare this New Year.
“There is no how we will implement an N101 billion budget without the lives of workers changing, absolutely, no how.”
The governor said that he is committed to implementing the 2016 budget 100 percent, even as he assured that his fight against corruption in the state would be total.
Governir Umahi told the leadership of the organized labour that after the festive period, “we will try to organize properly and move together as a people.
“I won’t forget your labour of love; I won’t forget your commitment and I won’t forget all the struggles. We do remember.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, said the delegation identified with the governor in this season of the Yuletide.
“Labour cannot afford to celebrate this Christmas and New Year without coming to identify with this government and to pray that this year will be a better year for the government and workers of Ebonyi State.”
Meanwhile, Umahi has appealed to the people of Ohaozara Local Government Area to unite to attain greater heights this year.
Speaking when the stakeholders of Okposi Okwu and Mgbom Okposi autonomous
communities visited him, the governor regretted that the seed of disunity caused by some disgruntled politicians had robbed the area of meaningful progress.
Umahi informed the stakeholders that the street light project of the state government would be extended to Okposi while the Okposi-Ugwulangwu- Ukawu road would be constructed.
He stressed the intention of his administration to develop the salt deposits in the area into modern salt factories as soon as the necessary tests were carried out to ascertain their quantity and quality.
The governor also announced that all issues relating to “Ezeship” of Okposi Okwu has been put on hold pending the burial of a former Minister of Education, the late Dr.Igwe Aja Nwachukwu.
He warned the youth against cultism, stressing that his administration would not fail to prosecute anyone found to be involved in activities that negated the peace of the area. [myad]
