Twenty-five years’ arrears of gratuities owed local government retirees in Enugu State are set to be settled.
The Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Enugu State, Hon Ferdinand Ukwueze, stated this while briefing Government House correspondents after the 40th meeting of the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission. THE WHISTLER reports that the meeting was chaired by Governor Peter Mbah.
Ukwueze, who doubles as Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, said the development was in sync with the determination of the state government to settle inherited gratuity obligations and improve the welfare of retirees.
According to him, “In a very historic manner, the local government system in Enugu State has taken the bold step of aligning with the state’s policy of alleviating the hardship of the masses. In line with the payment of the legacy gratuity that the state government embarked on a couple of days ago, the local governments have also decided at the Economic Planning Commission meeting to step into that arrangement to make sure that we clear all the gratuities we inherited.”
He explained that the 10 per cent allocation would be set aside monthly from October until the outstanding gratuities are fully paid. “Beginning from this month, we are going to key into what the state government has started implementing already by making sure that we offset those debts. The decision is that starting from this month, 10 per cent of our monthly allocation will be dedicated to that responsibility until it is cleared. So, once we start it, there is no going back. Every worker who worked in our local governments will have access to this entitlement,” Ukwueze stated.
He stated that arrears dated back to 2000. In his words, “For clarity, the arrears are from the year 2000, but, as I said, we are going to clear all the over 25-year legacy gratuities. The reason is to put smiles on the faces of the masses, especially those of them who spent their youthfulness serving the public in our various local government areas.”
Some retirees that interacted with our reporter described the move as a welcome development. Nathaniel Eze served in Udi LGA. He said, “At a time, I thought that serving in a local government is a scam in Enugu State. Preceding administrations did not care about us. There are many LG retirees that have died without receiving their gratuities and pensions. When I heard about this development, I was happy. We have always wondered how LGAs could be getting their allocations, without paying gratuities.”
Mary Obule served in Udenu LGA. She said, “I am very happy. Otherwise serving in local governments has become a curse. I retired in 2019, and have nothing to show for it. I know many of us that retired ahead of me, and they are either riding okada or operating pubs to earn a living. Many can’t train their children and wards in schools. I thank Gov Peter Mbah specifically because he has given us a sense of belonging.”
