By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Government has approved an increase in the minimum wage for civil servants from N70,000 to N90,000, effective August.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Ikeuwa Omebeh, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists on the outcome of Wednesday?s State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting.

Omebe explained that the increment cuts across all categories of workers in the state?s public service, stressing that it reflects the administration?s genuine commitment to workers? welfare.

?We want to state categorically that this is not a political statement, as this government does not toy with workers? welfare,? he said.

He further announced that the state government has cleared pension and gratuity arrears owed to retirees from the creation of Ebonyi in 1996 to date.

According to him, the verification process for local government retirees is ongoing, after which their payments will also commence.

?If the government did not play politics with such huge financial obligations, it would not do so with an additional N20,000 to workers,? Omebe added.

The commissioner praised Governor Francis Nwifuru for his leadership style, describing him as ?a leader, builder of capacity, human beings and infrastructure,? noting that the administration remains guided by its ?people?s charter of needs? mantra.

Meanwhile, EXCO also approved the enforcement of the eight year tenure policy for directors and permanent secretaries in the state civil service.

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