Civil servants employed by the Ebonyi State Government will receive the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira each as their Christmas bonus.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, who announced this on Sunday at a church service held at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki, said the gesture was in line with his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants in the state.
“The gesture is aligned with our commitment to improve the welfare of our civil servants despite dwindling revenue accruing to the state in the past year,” Governor Nwifuru said.
On the forthcoming local government elections in the state, the governor revealed that he has not endorsed any candidate for any position.
He promised a level playing field for all aspirants in the election, adding that the electorate reserves the right to elect their representatives.
“As far as I am concerned, the will of the people must prevail. The people must choose their representatives without interference from any quarter,” he said.
The Governor renewed his directive to political appointees wishing to contest the election to resign in line with electoral guidelines.
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“It is not my duty to pick you as Chairman of your Local Government Area. If you are contesting for the chairmanship position in next year’s council elections, you must resign your appointment, as stipulated by law,” he added.
Nwifuru also dispelled rumours of lethargy in the Vincent Agwu Nwankwo Flyover (VANCO), which is widely regarded as a monumental infrastructural achievement of his administration.
“You cannot find any state in Nigeria that is currently undertaking such a flyover,” he said, adding that the construction rigours in the massive project will transform the area and give the state a facelift when completed.
He condemned misleading social media commentary on the project, pointing out that the government is taking steps to ensure that the state is counted among nations with advanced and modern infrastructure.
“We are doing it not because we have money, but because we want to sign our signature in the annals of history,” he emphasised.
Governor Nwifuru said that Ebonyi State aspires to be placed on the global map of good governance and to be recognised for its advanced and modern infrastructure.