The Ebonyi State Government stressed on Sunday that the increase in worker pay was made to lessen the suffering of the Ebonyi people as a result of the Federal Government’s recent elimination of subsidies.
In a meeting with journalists in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr Jude Okpor, noted that the government was aware of the citizens’ difficult economic situations and promised to take steps to lessen their suffering.
This came as it made clear that it was researching the types of palliatives that the Federal Government was currently withholding from Nigerians in an effort to match them with what its resources could provide Ebonyi inhabitants.
Water flows from the top down, he added. Ebonyi State will wait since it interacts with the federal government in some way. We will wait to see what the central government decides to do on palliatives before assessing whether our resources will be compatible with the choice we make.
“We will not be in a haste to take any decision on this. That’s why the Governor has thought it wise to alleviate the sufferings of Ebonyi workers by the increment in their salary, across board. It’s work in process and gradually we will get there.
“We are aware that the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu is planning a palliatives package for the whole of Nigerians to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal. Ebonyians are also going to be beneficiaries of the palliatives package.
“And if there are opportunities to add to what the Federal Government is going to do, the Ebonyi State Government will explore those opportunities within the limit of its resources.
“Human capital development is one of the core priorities of Governor Nwifuru and he’s passionate about it. No stone will be left unturned to ensure the living standards of Ebonyi are upgraded during his time , as governor.”
On the allegation by a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Chika Nwoba, that the Governor Nwifuru was running a government of cultists, the commissioner, said, “On assumption of office as Commissioner, I decided not to respond to unfounded issues in the social media. And so, I don’t want to respond to allegations credited to a Facebook chieftain.
“One thing is clear. He should show Nigerians where he has a register of cultists and where he was able to identify the appointees of the Governor as cultists. It takes a cultist to recognise one.”