Governor Nnamani made the promise while addressing the State Executives of the 26 Industrial Unions that make up the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) who called on him at the Government House, Enugu.

In the words of Governor Nnamani,"as government is in the summer of its tenure, we have to continue rigorously and energetically especially in our commitment to the workforce so that we will leave a clean slate for the incoming government. We will not want an incoming government to be talking about salary arrears."

The State Chief Executive used the occasion to thank the NLC for their patience and understanding, adding that labour in the state had shown that they did not have to fight government in order to achieve their intended result.

He said, "we are going to work with labour because labour has been very kind to us, very cooperative, we have the first labour record in the country."

Governor Nnamani noted that the much his government was able to achieve in the state in the past years was made possible by the excellent government/labour relationship in the state and said that government was ready to reciprocate this gesture.

Said the Governor, “what we have done in Enugu State in terms of infrastructure development, human capacity and other development, members of labour have had to sacrifice for these things to be achieved, sacrifice in terms of allowances, emoluments. . . so we thank you for your understanding and patience."

He promised that what government did to core civil servants would be extended to workers in the parastatals, adding that six years leave allowance including those his administration inherited on assumption of office were paid.

The Governor promised to look into the demands made by the NLC and promised that salary will be paid as and at when due.

Earlier in his address, the State Chairman of the NLC, Chief Mike lke Ene noted with satisfaction the cordial relationship existing between the state government and labour and commended Governor Nnamani for the massive infrastructural development project executed in parts of the state to better the lots of the people.

He further thanked the Governor for his interest in the affairs of workers which included payment of salary up to date, release of promotion, establishment of workers' clinic at the Secretariat and construction of the Harmony Estate for workers.

"It is on record that your administration not only lifted the embargo on promotion hitherto hanging precariously on worker's necks but also released promotions up till 2005 while the 2006 promotion exercise is in progress."

Others are computerization of workers payroll, payment of teachers salary as and at when due, as well as their promotion up to Grade level 16, among others.

According to him, "I have the mandate of teachers in the state public service to specifically thank Your Excellency for putting teacher's welfare atop your mind. Your administration has paid teacher's salaries as and at when due and the regular promotion of teachers has lifted their morale to the apogee. Leave allowances have not left to fallow."

Chief Ike-Ene described the Governor as teacher-friendly Governor, adding that the friendship can never be easily forgotten by them both now and in future.

In his words, "I was reliably informed by this sister union (NUT) that in the history of the teaching profession you made a difference by promoting teachers to Grade Level 16, approved that heads of schools should be on consolidated salaries, appointed core teachers to head education boards and commissions, and appointed them into various political and career positions..."

On the issue of capacity building, the labour leader commended the foresight of the Governor in establishing the Bureau of Public Service Reform with the aim of re-engineering and refocusing the civil and public service in the state. This, he noted, had started to bear fruits as seminars and workshops were being held to improve the quality and output of civil and public servants in the state.

He commended the Governor for approving the payment of N46 million naira on behalf of workers in the state to the National Health Fund (NHF), describing it as a welcome development and pledged the workers' continued support and cooperation to the administration.

Chief Ike Ene requested, among others, that on completion workers should be given a sizeable chunk at the Lorna Linda Housing Estate, full implementation of the proposed contributory pension scheme project that would help make their colleagues more comfortable on retirement, and scheduling of workers’ leave allowances for prompt payment.