The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, has announced plans to begin settling outstanding gratuities owed to retired local government workers, with the arrears dating back to 2000.
The Deputy Chairman of Enugu State ALGON, Hon. Ferdinand Ukwueze, disclosed this while briefing Government House correspondents in Enugu after the 40th meeting of the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission, chaired by Governor Peter Mbah.
Ukwueze, who is also the Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, said the 17 local government councils in the state had agreed to earmark 10 per cent of their monthly allocations for the payment of the inherited gratuity obligations.
According to him, the arrangement would commence in October and continue until the outstanding arrears are fully settled.
The announcement comes barely a week after the Enugu State Executive Council approved over ₦32 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired state government workers, whose entitlements also date back to 2000.
Describing the councils’ decision as a significant step towards improving retirees’ welfare, Ukwueze said the local government system had resolved to align with the state government’s initiative to clear accumulated gratuity liabilities.
“One of the high points of today’s meeting is that, in a very historic manner, the local government system in Enugu State has taken the bold step of aligning with the state’s policy, particularly with respect to alleviating the hardship of the masses,” he said.
He explained that the decision was reached at the Economic Planning Commission meeting as part of efforts to address the long-standing financial obligations inherited by the councils.
“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 gratuity inherited by us,” he added.
The ALGON deputy chairman stressed that the councils were committed to sustaining the payment arrangement until every eligible retired local government worker received their outstanding entitlements.
“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 further clarified that the gratuity arrears span more than two decades, having accumulated since 2000, and assured beneficiaries that the councils intended to clear the outstanding obligations.
“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,” he reiterated.
Ukwueze said the initiative was designed to ease the financial difficulties faced by retirees who had dedicated their productive years to serving their respective communities and local governments.
“The essence of it, once again, 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,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the local government councils to working with Governor Mbah and relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and security across Enugu State.
“Enugu State is safe. Enugu State is peaceful. And we will continue to partner with our governor and security agencies to keep it so,” Ukwueze added.
