At the 2024 Grand Finale of Ojiji Izhi, Ebonyi State Government discussed plans for minimum wage, issues with ongoing projects, and local government financial autonomy
iyierioba.com gathered the information from Governor Francis Ogonna Nwifuru’s Facebook page.
During the 2024 Grand Finale of Ojiji Izhi, Governor Francis Ogonna Nwifuru addressed several important issues affecting Ebonyi State:
- Minimum Wage: Ebonyi State is set to pay the new N70,000 minimum wage as approved by the National Assembly. This payment will begin once the Head of Service and other officials finalize the payment plan.
- Project Delays: There are concerns about the progress of ongoing projects. Out of 338 projects in the state, 292 are road constructions with no visible progress. The government will not tolerate these delays. The Commissioner for Housing has been instructed to ensure that any contractor working on the Izzo and Amanze Housing Units who has not completed painting by September 15, 2024, will face arrest.
- Financial Autonomy: Ebonyi State is already following the rules for financial autonomy for Local Government Areas, as recently confirmed by the Supreme Court. However, this ruling does not change the role of Development Centres. Local Government Chairmen must share resources with Development Centre Coordinators according to state laws to ensure development in rural areas.
The Governor reiterated the commitment to serving the people based on their needs.
See his statement below: 👇
Yesterday, during my remarks at the 2024 Grand Finale of Ojiji Izhi, I addressed three pertinent points in today’s polity.
Firstly, Ebonyi State is ready and willing to pay the N70,000 minimum wage as passed by the National Assembly, during the recent amendment of the 2019 Minimum Wage Act. This payment will commence once the Head of Service and those in-charge conclude on the formula for the payment.
Secondly, I am unhappy about the reports I received from my Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants, regarding the ongoing works and contracts across the State. Currently, we have 338 projects under contractors in the State. Out of that 338, 292 are road construction, and we are not seeing any progress of work. Our Government will not condone such.
Particularly, I have instructed the Commissioner for Housing, that from 15th of September, 2024, any of the contractors handling the Izzo and Amanze Housing Units and are yet to paint theirs, should be arrested, irrespective of who the person is. They have pushed me to the wall and I will not allow anyone to play around with Government funds.
Thirdly, we have been implementing financial autonomy of Local Government Areas. And so, for us in Ebonyi State, there is nothing new with the financial autonomy proclaimed by the Supreme Court. However, the ruling does not vitiate the existence of Development Centres. As such, our Chairmen are expected to know that their resources are jointly owned with Development Centre Coordinators according to the sharing formula stated by the Law of the State. This is how meaningful development will be felt down our rural areas.
We will continue to serve our people, according to their NEEDS.
Sources : FON
See also: Nwoba Chika Nwoba Proposes New Skill Acquisition Centers for Ebonyi Youth
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