Okpebholo releases ₦1bn for gratuity arrears for Edo LG, primary school retirees

By Jethro Ibileke

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has released ₦1 billion for the payment of gratuity arrears owed to local government and primary school staff who retired in 2012.

Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Kabiru Adjoto, announced this on Friday during a meeting with representatives of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Local Government Pensioners Association (LOGPENAS), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and the Local Government Pension Bureau.

He said the release demonstrates the Governor’s commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees who served the state.

“Today’s event is another clear demonstration of the unwavering commitment of the Government of Edo State, under the purposeful leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to the welfare and well-being of workers and retirees who devoted the greater part of their lives to the service of our dear State,” he said.

Adjoto noted that following the successful commencement of gratuity payments to the 2012 batch early this year, the governor has approved an additional ₦1 billion to sustain the exercise.

According to him, “This additional intervention will enable the Pension Bureau to continue the payment process, covering the remaining beneficiaries in the 2012 batch and beyond.”

He said the gesture reflects the governor’s resolve to “gradually eliminate the backlog of outstanding gratuities accumulated over the years to our retirees who have meritoriously served the state.”

According to him, if the previous administration had adopted Okpebholo’s installment payment strategy, “the entire arrears would have been cleared.”

Adjoto assured that government remains committed to sustaining the exercise until the backlog is substantially addressed.

“While we acknowledge that much still remains to be done, we are encouraged by the consistent support and commitment of His Excellency.

“We therefore assure all retirees whose gratuities are still outstanding that the Government remains committed to sustaining this exercise until the backlog is substantially addressed, subject to the availability of funds,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the unions, the spokesperson of NUP, Comrade Claudette Ehannire, Jude Ahabue of LOGPENAS, and the Secretary of NULGE, appreciated the Governor’s gesture.

They, however, appealed for an increase in the amount for subsequent payments so that the arrears can be cleared “in record time.”