Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has directed that the bailout fund by the federal Government should not be used for any other thing in the state, but for salary payments.

Umahi gave the directive while inaugurating the State and Local Government Development Joint Committee Projects at the Government House, Abakaliki on Wednesday.

The governor, who explained that what people call bailout fund was a loan to all the states and local government areas in the country, warned against the misuse of the fund in the state.

He said: “I want it to be on record, the bailout fund should only be used in paying salaries; it shouldn’t be used in doing any other thing.

“At least, a part of it should be in a dedicated salary account to enable us pay salaries every 20th of every month.”

Umahi also directed that 100% salary increase should be worked out for Ebonyi workers for the month of December as a palliative measure.

“So it is my directive that you should be able to work out 100% salary to what we pay, and it should be paid by 15th of December. Every civil servant should also go home with a small bag of rice,” he added.

Governor Umahi also said the measure would be taken once in a while until the nation’s economy improved to enable his government renegotiate with workers in the state.

He told the joint project committee headed by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Barr. Samuel Okoronkwo, that his administration was committed to developing the rural communities in the state.

The governor directed that 15-kilometre asphalt road should be constructed in each of the 13 Local Government Areas of the state before the first quarter of next year.

He called on the council chairmen to do a comprehensive account of the electricity projects in their areas to enable the committee come up with their cost.

•Photo shows Gov. Dave Umahi.

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