Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has reiterated his administration’s commitment to implementing the new minimum wage of ₦70,000 and adhering strictly to the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local government councils.
The governor made these remarks during the grand finale of the 2024 Izzi Nnodo New Yam Festival (Ojiji) at Amagu, the ancestral home of the Izzi Nnodo people.
According to a statement by his media aide, Monday Uzor, Governor Nwifuru has directed the Head of Service to assess what it will take to implement the new minimum wage.
“We are committed to ensuring that our workers receive a fair wage,” the governor stated, emphasizing his administration’s dedication to improving the welfare of civil servants in the state.
During the festival, Governor Nwifuru commended the Izzi clan for preserving their rich cultural heritage, which he said has distinguished them from other communities.
“Today is the great OJIJI Day, a new yam festival celebration that offers deep insight into the context of the distinguished identity, rich heritage, and cultural nuances of my Izzi people,” he remarked.
He called for the continued sustenance of these traditions, highlighting the importance of cultural identity in the state’s development.
The governor also used the occasion to address issues of ongoing infrastructural projects in the state. He issued a stern warning to contractors, urging them to ensure the timely completion of projects, particularly in Izzo and Amaeze autonomous communities.
“I have directed the Commissioner for Housing to go after those that have not completed their projects,” he said. “We have given a grace of 60 days to complete all awarded projects. Upon the expiration of this grace, we will go after them.”
Governor Nwifuru expressed his frustration with contractors who have failed to report to project sites, calling the situation “totally unacceptable.”
He has tasked his Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Advisers (SAs) with monitoring ongoing projects across the state’s 13 Council Areas to ensure compliance.
The governor also condemned the indiscriminate sale of lands in the ancestral communities of Amagu and Ebiya by some youths, describing the act as a sacrilege. He challenged Elders and Traditional Rulers to take decisive action to curb this trend.
Elias Mbam, chairman of the event, praised Governor Nwifuru for the positive impact of his administration’s projects on the people of Ebonyi State.
“This government is doing well in line with its manifestos,” Mbam said, urging contractors and government appointees from the Izzi extraction to shun nepotism and fully support the governor’s administration.
“We will resist every attempt to sabotage this government. We must support this government because it is our government,” he added.
The event, which celebrated the rich culture and traditions of the Izzi people, was attended by prominent sons and daughters of the community, reflecting the deep pride and unity within the clan.