In keeping with his promise to accord priority to the welfare of workers,  th Ebonyi State governor, Chief David Umahi, has assured workers that their January salaries would be paid on the 15th.

Umahi gave the assurance in his country home, Uburu when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress paid him New Year homage.

The governor, who noted that he had to step down every project last

December to give junior workers 100 per cent extra salary and 50 per cent to senior workers, said: “in the next seven days workers will receive salary for January.”

He stated that the initial misunderstanding he had with the organised labour in the state “was brought by God himself because it made us to be on our toes.”

Umahi attributed the success so far recorded by his administration to God’s instruction, and promised workers of better welfare this New Year.

“There is no how we will implement an N101bn budget without the lives of workers changing. We will try to organise properly and move together as a people. I won’t forget your labour of love; I won’t forget your commitment and I won’t forget all the struggles. We do remember,” he said.

Meanwhile, Umahi has appealed to the people of Ohaozara Local Government Area to unite to attain greater heights this year.

Speaking when the stakeholders of Okposi Okwu and Mgbom Okposi autonomous communities visited him, the governor regretted that the seed of disunity caused by some disgruntled politicians had robbed the area of meaningful progress.

Umahi informed the stakeholders that the street light project of the state government would be extended to Okposi while the Okposi-Ugwulangwu- Ukawu road would be constructed.

He reiterated the intention of his administration to develop the salt deposits in the area into modern salt factories as soon as the necessary tests were carried out to ascertain their quantity and quality.

The governor also announced that all issues relating to “Ezeship” of Okposi Okwu has been put on hold pending the burial of a former Minister of Education, the late Dr Igwe Aja Nwachukwu.

He warned the youth against cultism, stating that his administration would not fail to prosecute anyone found to be involved in activities that negated the peace of the area.

Governor Umahi later took some time out to inspect the on-going construction of the Amasiri- Okposi-Uburu Road.

He directed the construction company (Conrock Nigeria Ltd) to stop further work on the road, pending its deployment of four bulldozers, three graders, 10 tipping trucks and four water tankers to the site.

The governor warned that if after 10 days the contractor failed to meet his directive, he would terminate the contract.

Governor Umahi also inspected the failed ‘Akwa Etiti’ bridge, which links Amangwu Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area and Amasiri in Afikpo North LGA.

 He said that construction of another bridge would commence in the next four weeks to save the people of the area from being cut off totally from the State.