Enugu Local Governments to Start Paying 25-Year Gratuities Arrears

The Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has announced that it will start paying the outstanding gratuities owed to retired local government workers. These arrears go back to the year 2000.

Ferdinand Ukwueze, the Deputy Chairman of Enugu State ALGON, shared this news with reporters at the end of the 40th meeting of the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission. Governor Peter Mbah chaired the meeting.

Ukwueze, who is also the Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, said the councils plan to set aside 10 percent of their monthly allocations starting in October. This money will go towards paying off the long-overdue gratuities until they are fully cleared.

This announcement comes just a week after the Enugu State Executive Council approved over ₦32 billion for paying outstanding gratuities owed to retired state government workers, which also dates back to 2000.

In his briefing, Ukwueze described the local governments' decision as a significant move that aligns with the Mbah administration’s goal to ensure retirees get their benefits. He said, "One of the high points of today’s meeting is that, in a very historic manner, the local government system in Enugu State has taken the bold step of aligning with the state’s policy, particularly with respect to alleviating the hardship of the masses."

He continued, "In line with the payment of the legacy gratuity that the state government embarked on a couple of days ago, the local governments have also decided at the Economic Planning Commission meeting to step into that arrangement to make sure that we clear all the gratuity inherited by us."

Ukwueze stated that the deductions from the councils’ monthly allocations would start this month and continue until all outstanding payments are settled. "Beginning from this month, we are going to key into what the state government has started implementing already by making sure that we offset those debts."

He added, "The decision is that starting from this month, 10 percent of our monthly allocation will be dedicated to that responsibility until it is cleared. So, once we start it, there is no going back. Every worker who worked in our local governments will have access to this entitlement."

He explained that the arrears cover more than 25 years, dating back to 2000. He firmly stated that the councils are committed to clearing these outstanding obligations. "For clarity, the arrears are from the year 2000, but, as I said, we are going to clear all the over 25-year legacy gratuities," he reiterated.

Ukwueze said the initiative aims to improve the welfare of retirees who dedicated their working years to public service. "The essence of it, once again, is to put smiles on the faces of the masses, especially those of them who spent their youthfulness serving the public in our various local government areas," he said.

He also promised that local governments would continue to support the Mbah administration and work with relevant groups to maintain peace and security in the state. "Enugu State is safe. Enugu State is peaceful. And we will continue to partner with our governor and security agencies to keep it so," he added.