Ebonyi releases N3.8b as 25 years gratuity arrears of retirees

Oswald Agwu

Ebonyi State government has released the sum of three billion, eight hundred and fifty-one million, seven hundred and sixty -three thousand and six hundred and seventeen naira, sixty- five Kobo (N3,851,763,617.65)  for immediate payment of gratuity arrears of retirees from 1996 to 2021.

 The approval was part of resolutions at the State Executive Council meeting held Wednesday at Government House, Abakaliki.

 The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr. Jude Okpor, who briefed newsmen on the development, said Governor Francis Nwifuru directed that the payment commence today, Thursday, September 21, 2023.

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 The Commissioner recalled that EXCO had earlier received a preliminary report on the matter during which the sum of about N4.3 billion was earmarked for the exercise. 

 “However, following the compilation and computation by the Gratuity Committee and other relevant organs of government with actual available data, it was found out that the total of eligible beneficiaries at present are 1,715 retirees amounting to the approved sum during council deliberations,” Okpor added.

 The Commissioner also briefed that the State government, through the State Civil Service Commission has received a total of 17, 834 applications in respect of recent advertisement for filling of vacancies in the State Civil Service.

 He however noted that only 5,352 applicants met the requirement of submitting original certificates with their applications in line with criteria set by the Commission. The rest submitted their statements of results.

 Okpor noted that while the Council resolved to uphold the criteria for eligibility as prescribed, it approved that opportunities should be given to those who did not attach their certificates but are able to provide theirs before the screening date.

 He explained that the Governor while addressing Council members  emphasized that the recruitment should strictly be  based on merit so as to give all applicants equal opportunity to compete for the job.

 He warned Executive Council members and other top government officials against interfering in the process.