Gov Umahi to sanction finance ministry officials over salary delay

In keeping with his promise to accord priority to the welfare of workers, the Ebonyi State governor, Chief David Umahi, has threatened to sanction the leadership of the State Ministry of Finance and other agencies responsible for payment of workers’ salaries if they fail to pay salary by the 15th of this month.

Gov Umahi handed down the warning at his country home, Uburu, Ohaozara in Ohaozara local government area of the state when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) paid him a New Year homage.

The governor, who noted that he had to step down every project last December to give junior workers 100 per cent extra salary and 50 per cent to senior workers, said: “In the next 13 days workers must receive their salaries for January to enable parents send their children back to school without much hitch.”

He stated that the initial misunderstanding he had with the organised labour in the state “was brought by God himself because it made us to be on our toes.”

Umahi attributed the success so far recorded by his administration to God’s instruction, and promised workers of better welfare this New Year.

“There is no way we will implement a N101billion budget without the lives of workers changing, absolutely, no way,” he stressed.

The governor maintained his commitment to implementing the 2016 budget 100 per cent, and assured that his fight against corruption in the state was total.