Abakaliki – Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi on Tuesday in Abakaliki said his administration would discontinue payment of the 50 per cent salary increase to the state’s workers, after paying June salary.
Umahi said the immediate past administration in the state increased the increament in workers’ salary from 35per cent to 50 per cent in March and sustained the payment till it handed over in May.
Umahi , who made this known during the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders meeting, said the state’s resources could not sustain the payment.
“I remain indebted to workers in the state for their contributions and support towards the emergence of this administration but we must face the economic realities before us.
“After the payment of the 50 per cent salary structure in June, the state had a balance of only N35 million in its coffers.
“The workers fought for our emergence ,but they should exercise restraint because it is not that there is money and we refuse to pay them,” he said.
The governor emphasised his commitment to fulfil all the promises he made during his electioneering campaign and urged party faithful to be patient and cooperative.
“I urge you to accept whatever appointment you receive in this administration as we will not relegate anybody to the background.
“I want to thank everyone for the support given to us during the last election; the unity of the PDP is a foundation to the prosperity and development of Ebonyi.
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“There is no other party that will move the state forward apart from the PDP,” he said.
Chief Joseph Onwe, PDP Chairman in Ebonyi, congratulated the governor for his victory at the last election and stressed the need for the party to remain united, strong and vibrant at all time.
“The party will continue to identify and support the laudable programmes of the governor, the party faithful should be committed to the actualisation of the party’s ideals,” he said.
Party faithful used the occasion to suggest ways of enhancing the fortunes of the PDP, and.
also advised the governor to ensure that his appointess into the various positions covered the entire segments of the state.(NAN)
