The Ebonyi State Government has approved the recruitment of 1,454 workers in the State as well as a salary increase of N10,000 to workers as part of efforts to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Chikadibia Okpor briefing newsmen after the Executive Council Meeting on Friday in Abakaliki said: “The issue of workers’ salaries was raised and deliberated by Exco. The sum of N10,000 will be added to every worker’s salary in the state to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal”.
The Commissioner noted that Gov. Francis Nwifuru has mandated the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Grace Umezuruike to look into the finances of the Ebonyi State University
He further added that: “Council also approved the employment of 1,454 into the state civil service to fill in vacancies created in the services over the years”.
Okpor said the Council also deliberated on crises in some parts of the State and set up a committee with a view to resolving them.
He explained that the committee is to look into the Ezza Effium and Effium crisis in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Isinkwo/Abaomege crisis in Onicha Local Government Area, Amana/ Ikwo in Ezza South and Ikwo Local Government Area among other areas in the State that has a crisis.
“His Excellency, the Governor also suggested that only people of unquestionable character and proven integrity will be nominated into the committee”, Okpor said.
The Commissioner noted that the Council also deliberated on water challenges in the State, explaning that a matching order had been given to the Commissioner for water resources to get water running in Abakaliki.
“We hope that the problem of water will come to an end in the state”, he said.