Gratuity: Ebonyi Govt spent 3.5b for over 1500 retirees

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Ebonyi state chairman committee on gratuity,Prof Adeline Idike has confirmed that they have spent three billion, five hundred and twenty two million for the payment of over 1500 retirees. The committee chairman disclosed this while presenting report to the governor at the Exco Chamber, old Government House, Abakaliki on Monday.

Prof Idike, however stated that the committee has recovered over eighty seven million naira from retirees on state agric loan, housing loan and over payment of salaries. Responding the state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru appreciated the team for their commitment and sacrifices to the effective delivery of their duty. "We didn't commit to that journey because of level of resources available in the state but, because of necessity which is why my government ventured into it. "If you pay somebody who worked for you for 30,40 or 70 years, don't you think he will be happy? And that inform the state executive Council to take this great task because it is very capital intensive but we did it and are happy because those involved are touched and feel the impact of our government. "Nothing else is government if government cannot take care of the living, and I don't think its the death should benefit from the government and I pray that God will keep you alive to enjoy the benefits you receive from the government.

"The committee chairman has done justice to the issues, but for those of you who have not been verified and their names not in the list, I plead with the head of service to go back and check the archives and re-enlist those that are yet to be verified so that possibly be attended to before December 2023.he said Meanwhile, the governor directed the head of service to revisit his archive as to re-enlist the remaining 200 hundred out of the 1715 retirees who are yet to be verified as to pay them before December of 2023.