By Obike Ukoh
Some local government workers, junior secondary and primary school teachers in Ebonyi, are yet to receive the N75,000, 2024 Christmas bonus, approved for them by the Ebonyi State Government.
It should be recalled that Gov. Francis Nwifuru, in December 2024, approved payment of N150,000 to each state worker, while the local government council chairmen settled to pay their workers N75,000.
Junior secondary and primary school teachers are paid by the local government councils.
However, some of the workers yet to receive the bonus, for almost six months are worried about the long delay.
Some of the affected workers that spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki, on the condition of anonymity appealed to Gov. Nwifuru to intervene on their behalf.
They said that certainly the governor may not be aware that some local government workers and teachers have not receive the money, meant to enable them enjoy and celebrate Christmas.
Mr Stanley Ewah, President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ebonyi Chapter, who spoke on the issue, lamented the delay.
He assured that the money will be paid to the affected workers between June and July.
Ewah said that those who were not paid were those not verified when the general verification exercise was carried out, adding that now they have been verified and will soon be paid.
He stressed that the Union had insisted that those not paid are not ghost workers.
On the disparity of payment, between state workers and local government workers, he said that the Union complained, adding that in the next government’s largesse to workers, he is hopeful that the gap will be closed.
Ewah stressed that he is not insensitive to the plight of workers, adding that “ I am working with the Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ebonyi Chapter to resolve the issue.
