Over N5bn Paid By Gov Nwifuru As Gratuities – Commissioner

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Jude Okpor yesterday said that over N5 billion has been paid as gratuities to 2,099 retirees since Governor Francis Nwifuru’s assumption of office.

Mr Okpor maintained the present administration has cleared all arrears of gratuity owed retirees from the creation of the state to 2023.

In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP Sunday, the commissioner said that the last batch of retired workers in the state were paid last week and commended the governor for the prompt payment of the gratuities as contained in his electioneering campaign promises to the people.

“As at Thursday, May 9, 2024 the last batch (phase 11) which comprises of spill-over retirees between 1996 to 2021 were cleared and paid with a total number of 256 retirees receiving their payment in full, bringing the total gratuity amount paid in that category to N394,907,784.91 kobo.

“Also cleared and paid during the 7-day exercise were retirees between (2022-2023), with a total number of 277 retirees cleared and paid in that category, with a total gratuity paid, amounting to N1,030,972,870.05.

“Further breakdown of the total sum and beneficiaries reveal that the Governor Nwifuru-led administration in the first phase of the exercise paid a total of 3,610,330,485.64 to 1,566 retirees, who patiently awaited their entitlement from1996 – 2021.
“A total of 533 retirees were cleared and paid a total gratuity amount of N1,425,880,654.96 in the second phase.

“We therefore call on Ebonyi people to continue to reciprocate the good gestures of the governor through prayers and loyalty to his administration as his government girds loins for better gestures in favour of Ebonyi people,” he stated.