Ebonyi Workers Receive N150,000 Christmas Bonus

Ebonyi State civil servants have received a significant financial boost ahead of the festive season, with Governor Francis Nwifuru announcing a substantial N150,000 Christmas bonus for every worker in the state employ. The governor made the announcement on Sunday during a church service held at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki.

Governor Nwifuru explained that the generous gesture is a reflection of his administration’s deep-seated commitment to prioritizing the welfare and well-being of the state’s workforce. He noted that the bonus was approved despite the financial constraints facing the state, acknowledging the “dwindling revenue accruing to the state in the past one year.” By authorizing the bonus under difficult fiscal conditions, the governor positioned the payment as a strategic move to improve the morale and financial standing of the civil service.

Beyond the immediate welfare issue, Governor Nwifuru used the platform to address the state’s forthcoming local government election. He sought to dispel any rumors of favoritism or interference in the democratic process, assuring all political aspirants that the election would be fair and transparent. “As far as I am concerned, the will of the people must prevail, the people must choose their representatives without interference from any quarter,” he declared, promising a level playing field for all contestants.

Furthermore, the governor reiterated a critical directive aimed at ensuring compliance with electoral guidelines: all political appointees wishing to contest positions in the upcoming local government election must tender their immediate resignations. He emphasized that the legal requirement for appointees to step down is non-negotiable and is not subject to his personal discretion. “It is not my duty to pick you as chairman of your Local Government Area. If you are contesting for the chairmanship position in next year’s council’s election as an appointee, you must resign as stipulated by the law,” Nwifuru asserted, stressing the primacy of the rule of law over political convenience.

In a separate but related matter, the governor took time to address public scrutiny and rumors concerning the construction of the ambitious Vincent Agwu Nwankwo Flyover, one of the signature infrastructure projects of his administration. He categorically dismissed claims of lethargy or delays in the construction, explaining that the project involves considerable “construction rigours” and engineering complexity that demand time and careful execution. He challenged critics by stating, “You cannot find any state in Nigeria that is doing such flyover currently,” highlighting the project’s unique complexity designed to give the state a modern facelift upon completion.

Governor Nwifuru specifically deplored what he termed as “social media criticism” of the infrastructure drive. He maintained that his administration is taking deliberate, strategic steps to ensure that Ebonyi State is recognized for its advanced and modern public works. He concluded by casting the project not merely as an economic necessity but as a legacy-defining endeavor, stating, “We are doing it not because we have money, we are doing it because we want to sign our signature in the anals of history.” The governor’s remarks simultaneously celebrated the financial relief offered to workers and defended the strategic vision behind his administration’s major infrastructure and political reform initiatives.