In a festive gesture of appreciation, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has approved a N150,000 Christmas bonus for civil servants in the state.
This announcement was made at a State banquet held in honor of the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, at the Government House in Abakaliki.
Governor Nwifuru emphasized that the bonus was a recognition of the dedication and understanding shown by the state workers, particularly during the recent strike action.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, Nwifuru said, “Our workers have shown a lot of commitment and respect to us as a government. During the strike action, they heeded our appeal because they understood the situation of things, and we were most grateful.”
The Governor also assured that all workers would receive their bonuses before the end of the workday next Tuesday.
The decision to grant the Christmas bonus was made to honor the patience and commitment of civil servants in Ebonyi.
Governor Nwifuru expressed his gratitude for the workers’ willingness to cooperate during the difficult period of the strike.
He added that the state government was ready to continue engaging with the workers to ensure their welfare was constantly improved.
The announcement was met with widespread joy, as many workers in the state had been eagerly anticipating the bonus.
The Governor’s action highlights the importance of rewarding public servants who continue to serve the state despite challenges.
In addition to the Christmas bonus announcement, Governor Nwifuru also discussed his administration’s vision for the future of Ebonyi State.
At the banquet, he outlined key sectors where the state is seeking international collaboration.
He solicited the assistance of the British government in the areas of water supply, health, power, education, and agriculture.
“We are committed to industrializing the state,” Nwifuru said. “We have made progress with the Ebonyi Pipe Production Company, Ebonyi State Fertilizers and Chemicals Company, and the Ebonyi State Hatchery, Nkaliki.”
He emphasized that Ebonyi State is a major producer of rice and expressed hope that the UK would collaborate with the state to enhance production for exportation.
Governor Nwifuru also highlighted the significant progress his administration has made in improving access to clean water and sanitation.
He noted that the state had revitalized the Oferekpe water scheme, which now has the capacity to produce 100 million cubic liters of water daily.
“Water and sanitation are key areas where we have made significant progress,” he said. “We are working hard to increase provision and access to quality water supply in both rural and urban areas.”
This development is part of the Governor’s broader vision to improve living conditions for residents in the state.
The visit of British Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever was an opportunity for Governor Nwifuru to further strengthen ties between Ebonyi State and the United Kingdom.
During their meeting, Nwifuru expressed gratitude for the support of the UK Foreign Office and other international development partners.
Lever, for her part, expressed satisfaction with the progress in Ebonyi State and pledged the UK’s support for the state’s development initiatives.
“The long-standing ties between the UK and Nigeria provide a solid foundation for us to collaborate and support the continued development of Ebonyi State,” she said.
