Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, has announced the increaseof workers’ salary in the state.

Umahiannouncedthe cheerynews during this year’s 56^th Independence Day anniversary celebration and Ebonyi at 20 held at the Abakaliki Township Stadiumon Saturday.

Umahi, who also pardoned 32 prisonersand commuted the death sentence of 14 others to life imprisonment,was full of praises forthe founding fathers of the state.

He thanked aformer governor of thestate, Dr. Sam Egwu, for mediating during the government-Labour dispute in the statelast year andalso hailed theNigeria Labour Congress for itsshow of understanding.

Umahi said: “We have been very much disturbed about the plight of our dear workers. We were disturbed that our workers were not with us as we want them to be with us, and we understood them. They need an increment in their salaries.

“Let me use the opportunity to thank Dr. Sam Egwu who mediated on this before now.TheNLC evensuspected him that he was on our side. But I continue to say his actionwas born out of hisexperience in office.

“Let me thank the labour leaders for your commitment and for your understanding. You were pushing me because you didn't want workers to suspect you. Thank you for the wisdom you deployed in arriving at what we have today. And so let me announce on behalf the government of Ebonyi State, that effective from October I, the increase in salaries of Ebonyi workers by five per cent.”

The governor also said he wouldensure the immediate release of workers promotion, assuringthat the gratuitiesand arrears of all retired civil servants and public office holders werepaid soon.

Heexplained that the pardon and commuttal of the sentences of some prisoners in the state werein pursuance of section 212 of the 1999Constitution whichgave him power to do so.

In a remark, the chairman of the occasion, Most Rev. Christopher Edeh, noted that the independence of Nigeria at 56 was being marked at a time ofsetbacks and security challenges.

He urged the governor to put more efforts in ensuring that the state was developed and the increasing poverty among the rich and the poor in the state wasreduced.

•Photo shows Governor Umahi.