The Governor of Ebonyi State, Eng. Dave Umahia, on Sunday said he would direct that the July salaries of workers be paid alongside those of June.

The directive came barely a day to the commencement of the verification of the state’s civil servants in Abakaliki and other locations in the state.

“I will be directing the Deputy Governor (Barrister Kelechi Igwe) who is heading the verification of workers to ensure that July salaries are also added,” Umahi said during the 21st priestly ordination of his Senior Special Adviser on Welfare and Religious Matters, Rev, Father Abraham Nwali at the St. Mathew Catholic Church, Ugwachare in Abakaliki.

Umahi, who was the special guest of honour, reiterated his desire not to reduce the salaries of workers and downsize the workforce.

He said: “On Thursday, I was at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja and this issue of salary payments, especially those of local government workers.

“I said to the Governor of the Central Bank what I do I do? A governor in the North said, ‘I have reduced my workforce’ and the other from the South-West said the same. But the CBN governor said there are two things you can do: ‘You either reduce their salaries or reduce the number of the workforce.’

“But I said, here in Ebonyi, we are not going to reduce the workforce and we are not going to reduce salaries of workers.”

Explaining that paucity of fund was hindering the payment of the wages of local government workers in the state, the governor restated his government’s determination to take the state to a greater level.

He also announced that plans were underway to organise Agric and Teachers summits in the state.

According to him, the Agric Summit for Rice Farmers, would chart a roadmap on how to improve the Agric Sector in line with his administration’s policy of restoring the glory of the state as Nigeria’s food basket.

Governor Umahi also explained that the planned Teachers Summit would aid the revolutionisation of teaching in the state and make the education sector a model for the nation.

Stressing that there was no going back on his earlier promise to return some schools to missionaries, the governor directed the Commissioner for Education, Prof. John Eke, to ensure the speedy completion of all arrangements leading to the handover before the next academic session.

The governor, who showered praises on Nwali, was companied to the event by his wife, Racheal and members of the state executive council.

After the event, he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Senator Christopher Nshi in Abakaliki.

Recalling that he was aware of the period Nshi took ill and the efforts to save his life. Governor Umahi, said the good thing was that he (Nshi) would be remembered for his contributions to the development of the state and the nation.

He prayed that God would grant the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.

The governor also visited the Red Cross Motherless Babies Home in the town where donated cash and presented the children with cakes.

He said the visit was his own way of celebrating with the motherless children his birthday which was on Saturday. Governor Umahi thereafter prayed for the children.

•Photo shows Governor Umahi.