Ebonyi State workers have lamented the skyrocketing house rents and have called for the provision of more housing estates for workers by Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration in the state.
The workers, in a joint address by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on the occasion of the 2025 May Day celebration at Pa Ngele Oruta Township, Abakaliki, also called for the reinstatement of the bulk release of leave allowances in line with the realities of the new national minimum wage.
The state NLC Chairman, Prof. Egwu Ogugua, affirmed that Gov. Nwifuru has on the assumption of office tackled the challenges of Ebonyi workers’ welfare headlong by initiating workers-friendly policies.
He commended the governor for giving the workers, the opportunity to interact with him, but however, urged him to provide more CNG buses for workers to ease their transportation challenges.
Prof. Ogugua further urged Gov. Nwifuru to increase the pension of retirees as obtainable in other parts of the country and equip government offices in the Ochudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, the state capital.
The NLC chairman equally called for the reinstatement of the full salary of staff of the Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, saying that “an additional monthly release of N25 million only would solve this problem.”
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Responding, Governor Francis Nwifuru said his administration has already taken concrete steps to improve prompt salary payments, expand opportunities for capacity development, provide conducive workspaces, and review outdated administrative structures.
“Currently, we are not owing pensions and gratuities. We are putting in place, a system that clears your gratuity less than one hour after exiting our service as a retiree.
“This, you can agree with, will reduce the risks of running around to process your retirement and its bottlenecks. I am glad to inform you we have reached an advanced stage in this regard,” he stressed.
The governor reaffirmed that under his watch, the state civil service shall be a symbol of excellence, integrity and envy, assuring that he will continue to pursue merit-based advancement, continuous training, and a digital transformation of service delivery.
While assuring that his administration will address their demands, Gov. Nwifuru maintained that his administration will not relent in pursuing a reward system to ensure excellence, punctuality and the professional discharge of assigned duties by any worker.
He pledged the continuous prompt payment of salaries and urged every worker across the state ministries, departments, and agencies to reciprocate by ensuring the full discharge of their duties with the passion, integrity, and professionalism that Ebonyi people deserve.
He equally announced the payment of N10,000 to all the workers as a show of concern for their May Day celebration.
