Ebonyi workers get ₦10,000 bye bye gift from Umahi

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has approved the paymet of ₦10,000 ”bye bye” gift for workers in Ebonyi State.

Umahi represented by his Deputy, Mr Kelechi Igwe, used the opportunity of the 2023 Workers Day celebration the theme: “Workers’ Rights and Socio-economic Justice” held on Monday in Abakaliki to announce the package. The ₦10,000 will be paid along with May salaries, Umahi promised.

“My administration has made government-worker friendliness possible. Our relationship with civil servants has been cordial.

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‘In my eight years in office, we can say that we have created over 65,000 direct and indirect jobs for the people.

“We have created four more federal institutions  – David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Muhammadu Buhari International Airport and Isu College of Education.”

The governor said that the creation meant more income tax from both federal employees and state employees to the state government, improved welfare of the people, more funds to the economy and increased commercial activities in Ebonyi.

Umahi said that he understood the significance of the 2023 Workers Day celebration all over the world.

According to Umahi, the 2023 celebration is a reminder of the ugly past. In his words, : “It reminds us of the ugly past where workers were dehumanised and their rights and freedom denied them.”

Prof. Oguguo Egwu, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said that there was a need for the government to engage more teachers, medical doctors and nurses.

Egwu said that engaging more teachers in the state public and secondary schools would go a long way in enhancing quality of education.

“I commend the governor on efforts to renovate the state health facilities.

“We, therefore, urge the governor to engage more doctors and nurses to achieve more in healthcare delivery.

“We also need enhancement of workers’ welfare package.

“Your excellency, we ask you to look deep into your good heart and, in liaison with your successor, design a take-home package that will be unique to Ebonyi workers,” the NLC chairman said.

Mr Jenifer Nwafor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, also congratulated the workers and pledged a continued cordial relationship with the workers.