Government in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria, has computed the backlog of pensions and gratuities owed retirees of Local Governments and and Universal Basic Education Board, UBEB, from 1996 to December 2023 amounting to about N9 Billion.
Governor Francis Nwifuru has however given his words to find ways of off-setting the arrears and set a new template of ensuring that retirees get their terminal benefits as at when due in the State.
Addressing the Executive Secretary and members of the Local Government Staff Pension Board on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Abakaliki on Friday, Governor Nwifuru observed that successive administrations inherit both assets and liabilities, assuring that he will resolve the pensions and gratuities liabilities of the State.
The Governor hopes to work with the 13 Council Chairmen to break the jinx of the over 28-year backlog of Local Government pensions and gratuities to put smiles on the faces of the senior citizens.
Nwifuru however reminds workers in the State of the need to process their retirement papers three months before their actual retirement date in other to enjoy the benefits of the new pensions arrangement being put in place by his administration.
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Meanwhile, the Governor says he is working out plans to assist students in public schools in the State who are sitting for WAEC and NECO examinations over the recent increase in charges for the registration of the two examinations, while announcing what he described as a coming “good welfare package” for teachers in the State.
He notes that the good package will come with it, a responsibility on the part of the teachers as his administration will introduce the computerised “clock-in, clock-out” work attendance system, to checkmate dereliction of duties in public schools.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Emeka Nwaonu explained that his team made relevant fact findings with agencies and stakeholders to authenticate the true identity of deserving pensioners, before arriving at the quoted amount of N9 Billion as outstanding pensions and gratuities for retirees of the Local Governments and UBEB.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
