Ebonyi State Government has commenced the payment of gratuities, and death benefits to retired local government staff, Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) teachers, and deceased retirees across the state.
Flagging off the payment at the Old Govt House Abakaliki, the Governor of the state, Francis Nwifuru represented by commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Uchenna Igwe applauded the state governor for responding to the long yearning of civil servants which has lasted for over three decades.
He assured beneficiaries that all the retirees due for the payment would get their benefits and enjoined beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.
The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Comrade Emeka Nwonu describing the gesture as a fulfillment of the governor’s promise to improve the welfare of retired civil servants in line with his administration’s “People’s Charter of Needs” policy.
According to the statement, the governor approved over ₦10 billion to clear outstanding pension arrears and gratuities owed to retirees dating back to 1996, covering both living and deceased beneficiaries. The Executive Secretary noted that this development has brought renewed hope to thousands of pensioners who had waited years without receiving their entitlements.
It would be recalled that in 2024, Governor Nwifuru cleared a backlog of arrears owed to state retirees since 1996, amounting to several billions of naira. This, observers say, further affirms his administration’s commitment to restoring the dignity of labour and ensuring that workers enjoy the fruits of their service even after retirement.
Governor Nwifuru has also demonstrated his administration’s concern for the welfare of active civil servants. Recently, he increased the state’s minimum wage to ₦90,000, surpassing the new national benchmark, despite Ebonyi being one of the states with the lowest federal allocation.
The Executive Secretary praised the governor for translating his words into action, noting that his people-oriented governance aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Some of the retirees including, former principal of Army Day Secondary School Abakaliki, lady Stella Ikpor and Elder Ama Orji described the exercise as a dream come true, stressing that governor Nwifuru paying the gratiuty has proven that years of their labour as civil servants were not in vain.
Our correspondent reports that the retirees were seen celebrating as they were been paid immediately after the briefing.
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