By Obike Ukoh in Abakaliki.
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state.
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Nearly six months after the 2024 Christmas celebrations, many local government workers, as well as junior secondary and primary school teachers in Ebonyi State, are yet to receive the N75,000 Christmas bonus approved by the state government.
Our correspondent recalls that Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru had in December 2024 approved a N150,000 bonus for state civil servants. Local government council chairmen, in turn, committed to paying N75,000 to their staff, including teachers who fall under the purview of the councils.
Feelers from the councils however, revealed that the prolonged delay in disbursement has left many affected workers frustrated and disheartened.
Some of the unpaid workers, who spoke to journalists in Abakaliki under anonymity, called on Governor Nwifuru to intervene.
They expressed confidence that the governor might be unaware of the non-payment and urged him to take steps to ensure the matter is resolved swiftly.
“This money was meant to help us celebrate Christmas with dignity. We’re still waiting, and it’s almost mid-year,” one teacher lamented.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Stanley Ewah, President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ebonyi State Chapter, admitted the delay but assured that the affected workers would receive their bonuses between June and July.
According to Ewah, the delay was due to verification issues during a previous screening.
“Those who were not paid initially were not verified at the time, but that process has now been completed,” he said.
Ewa emphasized that the union has maintained that the unpaid workers are not ghost workers and must be compensated accordingly.
Addressing the disparity between state and local government workers’ bonuses, Ewah acknowledged that the union had raised concerns with relevant authorities.
He expressed optimism that future government incentives would address the imbalance.
“I’m not insensitive to the pain and frustration of our members I’m working closely with the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ebonyi Chapter, to ensure this matter is resolved,”Ewah said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
