Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has approved a ₦150,000 Christmas bonus for all civil servants in the state.
Speaking during a church service at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki, on Sunday, the governor said the gesture reflects his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare despite what he described as dwindling revenues over the past year.
On the forthcoming local government elections, Nwifuru stressed that he has not anointed any candidate and would ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
“As far as I am concerned, the will of the people must prevail. The people must choose their representatives without interference from any quarter,” he said.
He reiterated that political appointees wishing to contest in the council polls must resign their positions, in line with electoral guidelines.
The governor also addressed rumours surrounding the Vincent Agwu Nwankwo Flyover (VANCO), dismissing claims of inactivity on the site. He described the project as a major, technically demanding infrastructure undertaking, insisting that:
“You cannot find any state in Nigeria currently undertaking a flyover of this nature.”
Nwifuru said the flyover, when completed, would significantly enhance Abakaliki’s aesthetics and urban profile. He criticised what he called misleading social media narratives, insisting that his administration is focused on legacy projects that will put Ebonyi State “on the global map of good governance” through modern infrastructure and sustainable development.
