Ebonyi state workers yesterday told the state government that the ten thousand naira salary increase given to them was quite below their expectations.

Governor Francis Nwifuru had during his address to the workers announced ten thousand niara increment to all the workers in the state, promising that once the issue of minimum wage is resolved nationally, Ebonyi State will not be the least to pay.

He announced the immediate recruitment of1000 teachers, even as he thanked the workers for their cooperation and assistance toward the progress of his administration and promised to make them happy.

He said that his administration is not owing any pension and gratuity to retirees, adding that those that retired since January this year have all be paid.

“I am elated that you have shown commitment that you are part and parcel of this great state. It gives me a lot of joy and it is a challenge to me as your governor.

“All the issues raised by the NLC and TUC, sincerely what we will do is to offer another award of ten thousand naira to join the other ten thousand to be twenty thousand naira.

“As I said last year, your tremendous sacrifices and dedications to our great state summed up your numerous contributions to the growth and development of our state”

“Atimes things may seem tough owing to the economic challenges we are facing in our great country, Nigeria today. But you have always show uncommon patriotism for the common good of our nation Nigeria”.

But speaking to Vanguard on condition of anonymity the workers expressed dissatisfaction with the ten thousand niara increments, saying that it felt below their expectations.

“We were expecting that the government will announced a bumper minimum wage but we were surprised by his announcement”. (Vanguard)