The Ebonyi State Government has approved an increase in the minimum wage for state workers from ₦70,000 to ₦90,000, with immediate effect.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Ikeuwa Omebe, announced the decision on Thursday, August 28, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
Omebe said the move was aimed at improving the welfare of workers across all categories.
“We want to state categorically that this is not a political statement, as this government does not toy with workers’ welfare,” he said.
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He noted that the government had cleared pension and gratuity arrears for state retirees dating back to 1996.
According to him, a verification process for local government retirees is underway, after which payments will begin.
“If the government did not play politics with such huge financial obligations, it would not do so with additional N20,000 to workers,” Omebe stated.
He praised the governor as “a leader, builder of capacity, human beings and infrastructure,” stressing that the administration was guided by the “biblical people’s charter of needs mantra which is leading the people according to their needs.”
Omebe further disclosed that the council deliberated on the eight-year tenure policy for directors and resolved to enforce the immediate retirement of those who have served their full tenure, including affected permanent secretaries and directors.