The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants under the employ of the state.

Nwifuru announced this on Saturday at the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival.

“I have directed relevant government authorities to draft out modalities for the payment of the new minimum wage commencing in September,” he said.

The governor, however, frowned at the lackadaisical manner by which government projects awarded as contracts to prominent leaders of the state were handled, especially the housing estates at Izo autonomous community in the Ishielu Local Government Area.

He gave a marching order to the Commissioner for Housing to ensure the painting of the houses immediately.

He further called on residents of the state not to hesitate to report government projects being delayed by contractors.

PUNCH