Ebonyi governor increases workers’ salary

Mr Leonard Nkah, the President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ebonyi Chapter, has commended Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State for approving 5 percent pay rise for workers.

He said that by the action, Umahi had proved to be a listening governor.



Governor Umahi announced the five percent increase in workers’ salaries when he addressed the people on Saturday at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, to mark the country’s 56th Independence Day anniversary.

Nkah also said that a dedicated account would be opened where money would be paid into every month for the liquidation of over five billion naira arrears of pensions and gratuity.

He said in Abakaliki on Sunday that the governor’s action was commendable.

“Gov. Umahi has proved to be a listening governor as the labour movement has been agitating for the pay rise since the current salary template was released and implemented.”

The state NULGE president expressed optimism that “ as a listening governor, Umahi would continue to adjust workers’ salaries upwards periodically.”

Nkah also appealed to the governor to direct the relevant authorities to comply with the governor’s directive by paying local government workers by the 15th of every month.

Umahi had earlier directed that civil servants should be paid by the 15th of every month.
In line with the directive, workers’ in the state receive their monthly salary by the 15th of every month except local government workers.

Nkah complained that local government workers receive their salary at the end of the month or even in some cases in the first or second week of the next month.

“Primary and junior secondary school teachers who are paid from local government funds are paid on the 15th of every month since the governor gave the directive,” Nkah noted.

He also commended the governor for his infrastructural development.

“His infrastructural development is visible in Abakaliki, the state capital, across the 13 local government areas.

“His street lighting programme has reduced crime and increased business hours across major towns in the state.

“I appeal to the people of the state to promptly pay their taxes to enable the government sustain its development programmes,” Nkah pleaded.