“Abakaliki, Nigeria – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi has condemned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for declaring a strike in Ebonyi, saying the development is disappointing considering the state government’s efforts to enhance workers’ welfare.
The State Chairman of APC, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, made the condemnation on Thursday in Abakaliki in a press statement he signed and made available to newsmen.
Okoro-Emegha said in his statement that civil servants embarked on the strike because some of their leaders might had succumbed to undue pressure from external forces.
“Gov. Nwifuru of Ebonyi has done exceptionally well in changing the lives of workers and other segments of the state.
“The governor increased their salaries by 20%, awarded N100,000 as Christmas bonus last year to each of them among other incentives.
“He is the first under the present democratic dispensation to increase workers take home even before the negotiation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000 but he increased it to N75,000.”
The party chairman said that apart from these interventions aimed at cushioning the effect of economic downturn in the country, the civil servants also benefit from numerous government empowerment programmes.
“The governor voluntarily, on assumption of office, paid the gratuities’ arrears of all the state retired civil servants from 1996 to 2023 and currently is working assiduously to ensure that local government workers get theirs soon.
“Although it is heartwarming that they have complied with the directives of the governor and have since returned to their various duty posts, they should not allow few politicians to manipulate them.
“Through words and actions, the Governor always reiterate that the civil service is the engine room of government and would not relent in charting a cause that will improve the wellbeing of the state workforce.
“This is also contained in his People’s Charter of Needs agenda, compass of the administration.”
He then enjoined workers to always employ dialogue in sorting out issues of interest rather than applying archaic and immature measures to frustrate the government.
“I wish to appreciate Gov. Nwifuru for always taking firm and proactive posture in addressing matters of state importance.
