GOV UMAHI AGREES WITH LABOUR ON SHARING FORMULA FOR PARIS CLUB REFUND

Ebonyi State Government has presented a proposal for the disbursement of #7.6 billion second tranche of Paris Club refund to its workers in various sectors.

The money represents 60% of the second tranche refund to the state.

Governor David Umahi made the presentation at a meeting involving government officials, labour leaders and management of various tertiary institutions held at Government House Abakaliki.

Present at the meeting were leaders of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ebonyi State University chapter; College of Education Academic Staff Union, College of Education, Ikwo Chapter; Nigeria Labour Congress; Trade Union Congress; Nigeria Union of Teachers; and Association of Local Government of Nigeria in the State.

Governor Umahi explained that #2 billion would be set aside for the payment of state workers’ salary while #1.1 billion would go to the staff of the state University for the settlement of their pension and salary arrears.

He pointed out that over #7 hundred million would be used to settle salary and pension arrears and set up National Health Insurance Scheme for the staff of College of Education Ikwo.

The Pro Chancellor of Ebonyi State University, Ambassador Franklin Ogbewu, commended the state government for being transparent in the disbursement of the fund but called for financial autonomy for the Institution.

The State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Leonard Nkah, urged the state government to look into the issue non conversion and advancement of workers who had obtained higher certificates.

The Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria in Ebonyi State, Mrs Chinyere Iyioku, assured the state government that allocation made to Local Government staff would be disbursed accordingly.

AMECHI ODO