The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Ebonyi has appealed to the state government to increase the personnel costs captured in the proposed 2021 budget from the present 13 to 23 per cent.
Mr Leonard Nkah, the state NLC Chairman made the appeal in Abakaliki during a citizens budget input and consultative forum organised by the state government.
Nkah said that such increment will enhance the welfare of workers and others under the state government’s employ, noting that it was implementable.
“Workers would definitely appreciate this gesture as nine per cent for instance, can be withdrawn from sectors which has 59 per cent of the budgetary provision and infused into personnel cost.
“The increment can also be reflected in the areas of manpower and recruitment and such would enhance workers’ productivity,” he said.
Gov. David Umahi, represented by his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe referred the NLC’s appeal to the state Head of Service but said that the state government was always responsive to workers’ needs.
“It is possible that the state ministry of finance has aggregated workers’ salaries and other entitlements and captured it within the 13 per cent of personnel cost.
The governor said that despite the adverse effect of COVID-19, the state government kept faith with people and did not miss payment of workers’ salaries even for a month.
“The chairmen of Local Government Aras have also been proactive in their duties towards workers and other segments of the society and supported the government in its infrastructural undertakings.
“I assure the citizens that state will emerge as one of the best in the 2020 budget implementation as reflected in its expenditure, project execution and overall financial outlay even as the year is ending.
He said that the 2021 budget estimate was implementable and would put the state in the path of growth, development and become a source of pride for the people.
“We decided to consult the citizens for their inputs to be integrated into a financial language by the finance ministry and sent to the state House of Assembly.
Dr Chamberlain Nwele, state Head of Service said that the finance ministry took into consideration, the promotion of workers and aptly captured it under the personnel costs.
Mr Orlando Nweze, state Commissioner for Finance, said that proposed 2021 budget estimate will not be verbose but ‘tight’ to meet the aspirations of the people.
The leaderships of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) state Traditional Rulers Council, Market Women Association among others, made submissions at the forum.
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