The Ebonyi State governor, Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru yesterday said that the state government would assist students in public schools in the payment of NECO and WAEC fees.
Rt Hon Nwifuru made the disclosure when he received the management of the Local Government Staff Pensions Board led by the executive secretary, Mr Emeka Nwonu.
“I learnt that the amount for NECO and WAEC registration has been increased from N18,000 to about N34,000 and people are finding it difficult to cope with the situation.
“I have directed the state commissioner for Education to calculate the number of students who are registering for the examinations in public schools so that we can look at because it is our duty to serve the people. If we can’t pay all, we can pay at least 50 percent,” he stated.
He observed that the recent increase in NECO and WAEC fees is very challenging to most parents, adding that government was willing to cushion the effect.
Rt Hon Nwifuru also directed that payment of gratuities would henceforth be on a monthly basis and advised retiring civil servants to endeavour to process their retirement papers on time to enable them collect their benefits immediately after retirement.
“Payment of gratuities is now on monthly basis, if you have not been paid pension, you will not be qualified to receive gratuity.
“Therefore, I advise you to always proceed on three months retirement leave to enable you process your papers so that you will be paid immediately. We are not interested in owing,” he added.
He commended the executive secretary of the pension board for taking proactive steps to reposition the board.
The executive secretary of the board, Mr Nwonu, told the governor that he has taken steps to ensure that local government retirees are paid their benefits.
“Your Excellency, I am here with the report of the findings for official presentation to you, but summarily, we have a total of 4,920 pensioners alive, who are awaiting their unpaid retirement benefits, while 1,135 are dead but owed retirement benefits. In all, the arrears stand at N9,025,073,426.20 billion,” he stated.
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