Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has directed Imo civil servants to proceed on Christmas and New Year holiday for a period of two weeks, from December 19 to January 10, 2017.

The governor disclosed this publicly during the Imo Thanksgiving Day held last Monday night at Heroes’ Square, Owerri, adding that workers on essential duties were exempted.

Okorocha, who had been approving of such since his assumption of duties on 2011, urged the workers to use the period to celebrate their Christmas and New Year festivities joyously and happily, wishing them merry festive period.

In the past, he had offered them bonus of N10,000, but no such gesture was announced this year. He only directed payment of November and December 2016 fully for workers on grade level 01 – 06, while those on 07 to 17) would receive 80 per cent od their salary.

The state government also struck a deal with retirees to pay pensions 100 per cent for 01- 06, while those on levels 07 to 17 would receive 40 per cent.