The Ebonyi chapter of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) says that Gov Francis Nwifuru’s one-year in office has made significant changes in the history of the state workforce.
Chidi Igboji, the state chairman of the congress made the assertion while reacting to the performance of Mr Nwifuru in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki.
Mr Igboji lauded the reviving state of the worker’s welfare and described it as “incredible”.
“Yes, the workers in the state is breathing now and it started within the one year of the governor in office,” he stated.
The chairman noted that he would not say anything in comparison with the previous administration but thanked God for giving the people of Ebonyi, a governor with a good heart.
“The governor has made history for his people in terms of worker’s well-being. He has made 10 powerful achievements for the workers within his one year in office.
“The regular N10, 000 payment as Wage award for the workers and an additional N10, 000 with effect from May, 2024.
‘The governor has cleared the backlog of gratuity of Retirees from 1996 to 2021 for over 1,800 Retirees and 636 workers for 2022 and 2023.
“He approved the complete payment of the monthly five per cent health insurance scheme for all the civil/public servants in the state and recruitment of over 1,700 employees into the state civil service,” he said.
On education, Mr Igboji said that the governor had commenced the building of 39 model secondary schools and further approved the employment of 1, 000 teachers to man the schools.
“In the state owned higher institution, Ebonyi state University, the Governor increased the subvention of the school from N150 million to N280 million and increased salaries of Academic and non- academic staff by between 10 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.
“He also revitalised state’s General hospitals and empowered doctors with a brand new vehicles to facilitate their services.
“The Christmas bonus of N100,000 each to every State Civil servant cannot be forgotten among so many other things,” the chairman added.
Mr Igboji, who also reacted to the ongoing minimum wage negotiations, expressed hope that the governor would implement whatever that is being approved from the national .
“The governor has told us, that once the National Minimum wage is implemented, Ebonyi State will not be the least to implement such,” he added.
(NAN)