May 1, (THEWILL) – Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has announced a ten thousand salary increase for civil servants under the employ of state, pending the on going negotiate between labour and the federal government on the new minimum wage.
Nwifuru, who made the announcement during this year’s workers day celebration at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, disclosed that his administration has been committed to the payment of salaries, pension and gratituies.
The Governor further announced the release and publication by the state of one thousand seven hundred employees into the state civil service and an additional one thousand to be employed as teachers.
He said, “As I said last year, your tremendous sacrifices and dedications to our great state summed up your numerous contributions to the growth and development of our state, Ebonyi.
“Atimes things may seem tough owing to the economic challenges we are facing in our great country, Nigeria today. But you have always expamlified uncommon patriotism for the common good of our nation Nigeria.
“I salute your courage, focus and resilience and productive will. In celebrating you today, it is important to reiterate what our administration has in stock for you as contained in our manifesto, People’s Charter of Needs. A bit has been shown, but be rest assured of the full implementation of our manifesto, People’s Charter of Needs.
“Let me fully assure you our great workers that our regular promotions, as I have already directed and I am sure it is in progress. Regular promotions and prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratituties will continue as it is today. Presently, those that retired as from January have received their graituies one hundred percent.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we hereby the approved and release an additional one thousand seven hundred workers including the judiciary and legislatures as screened and published by the state civil service commission.
“As we celebrate the victory of the past today, we must at all times join our noble effort to fight for a better future for us all. We are amenable to economic and governance dynamics. We are waiting for the outcome of the negotiation of the minimum wage and to assure you distinguished workers of our great state that Ebonyi will not be the least. I have directed that all arrears of promotions should be immediately released.
“I am elated that you have shown commitment that you are part and parcel of this great state. It gives me a lot of joy and it is a challenge to me as your governor. All the issues raised by the NLC and TUC. Sincerely what we will do is to offer another award of ten thousand naira to join the other ten thousand to be twenty thousand naira.
In a joint address presented earlier by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria(TUC) Ebonyi State and read by the Chairman of NLC Ebonyi State, Comrade Professor Ogugua Egwu the event provides the opportunity to remember fallen heroes of Labour who paid prize of death just for them to stand as workers; for them to celebrate the rewards of their martyrdom; for them to express freedom as workers and labourers in the vineyard of life; for them to remain thick and bold and courageous; for them to remain faithful and truth and the need to spaeak for the people.
He said the theme of May day is “People First is 2024”
He said, “Today, therefore is a day we remember fallen heroes of Labour who paid prize of death just for us to stand as workers; for us to celebrate the rewards of their martyrdom; for us to express freedom as workers and labourers in the vineyard of life; for us to remain thick and bold and courageous; for us to remain faithful and truth and the need to spaeak for the people.
“The people constitute he soul of humanity, they are the hands that turn the wheels of production to improve the quality of life; they are the real middle and low class( if the middle class still exists), they form the compendium of impoverished minds and households, and clans, and communities who cannot afford the basics needs of life.
“The people are those in dire need. The people are those who have been subjected to excruciating pain in utter neglect and societal and psychological rejection. They are men and women and children who have be abducted, tortured and murdered in the pool of their blood due to insecurity. They are our children who may never have opportunities to attain basic education and even when they do, they are abandoned to their own fate in dilapidated structures without guidance and without teachers.
“They are professors who cannot profess their passion not for lack of knowledge but because they have been belittled economically and psychologically, and the wages have further impoverished their mindset. They are people who are just existing without hope, their fate, always in the hands of God and the popular poor man prayer, “GOD DEY” has become their slogan perpetually.
“The people are those that cannot afford to manage their businesses not because they lack business acumen but because the environment is extremely hostile-they cannot power their offices, machines and even themselves because the cost of energy has skyrocketed beyond imagination”, he said.
He further called on the governor to address the plights confronting workers of the state through the engagement of more teachers in public primary and secondary schools in the state and evolve and enhanced welfare packages for the workers of Ebony State with additional N20,000 while they await the implementation of the minimum wage.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
