The 17 local government chairmen in Enugu State have resolved to dedicate 10 per cent of their monthly allocations to clearing gratuity arrears owed to retired council workers since 2000.
Ferdinand Ukwueze, deputy chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, disclosed this on Monday after a meeting of the State Economic Planning Commission at the Government House in Enugu.
Ukwueze said the meeting, chaired by Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, was attended by relevant stakeholders.
He said the decision was part of efforts to align the local government system with the state government’s policy of clearing inherited gratuity debts and improving retirees’ welfare.
The resolution followed the state government’s recent approval to clear outstanding gratuity arrears owed to retired state civil servants.
Ukwueze said the council chairmen had agreed to make uniform disbursements across the 17 local government areas, with the allocation of funds for the exercise beginning in October and continuing until the arrears were fully cleared.
“One of the high points of today’s meeting is that the local government system in Enugu State has taken a bold step to align with the state government’s policy of alleviating hardship among the people,” he said.
He assured retired local government workers that the chairmen were united in their commitment to clearing the debts and ensuring all eligible beneficiaries received their entitlements.
The deputy ALGON chairman said the initiative would complement the state government’s efforts to improve the welfare of retired public servants who had spent their productive years serving the state.
He also disclosed that the local government administrations had prioritised regular pension payments since assuming office.
According to him, one of their first steps was to compile comprehensive records of eligible retirees to ensure the effective payment of their entitlements.
Ukwueze commended Mbah for providing the leadership and platform that enabled the council chairmen to agree on the initiative.
He reiterated the local governments’ commitment to supporting the state’s development agenda and improving residents’ living conditions.
