Abia State government has earmarked N61.8billion for payment of gratuity to verified pensioners of the state who retired from 2001 to 2010, said the commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu.
Kanu stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by the governor, Alex Otti in Umuahia, the state capital.
He said approval for the payment followed the council’s considering of a report by a committee constituted to review and develop sustainable framework for its implementation.
He explained that the report indicated that the gratuity accumulated as follows from 2001 to 2010, N7.2billion; 2011 to May 2023, N43.6 billion, and May 2023 to date N10.9billion.
According to the commissioner, “The government is committed to addressing this challenge in a responsible and sustainable manner.
”We cannot realistically clear the mess of 24 years within three years namely the misrule and maladministration that brought us as a state to this sorry past.
”But,we are determined to establish a system that guarantees continuous payment and prevents the accumulation of fresh areas.”
He also said to address complaints and challenges that may arise from the payment process, the government has established a dedicated helpline through the State Citizens Contact Centre.
”The helpline will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on working days, while complaints can also be submitted through an email address which will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Contributing, his Ministry of Finance, counterpart, Uwaoma Ukandu, pointed out that the payment will be in phases as the amount involved is huge and could not paid once.
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