Anambra Pays Gratuities To LG Retirees

Retirees from the local government system and primary schools in Anambra State, are in for good times as the state government has commenced the payment of their gratuities.

The Executive Secretary of the Local Government Pensions Board, Mr Aloysius Igboanugo said in Awka on Wednesday that the list included all those who retired between April and October.

He said the exercise was a sharp improvement on what obtained in the past when retirees waited for up to two years before getting their pay.

The secretary disclosed that there were no fewer than 9,000 pensioners on the board’s payroll, adding that there had been constant update of the register to reflect fresh retirees and those who died after the past verification exercise in June this year.

Igboanugo said there had been a lot of transformation on the board, adding that its activities had been computerised, resulting in more efficient service delivery.

Some of the retirees who got their gratuities expressed gratitude to the state government for the prompt payment, a situation they said had never happened in the state.

Mrs Joy Nwokolo, who retired as a primary school teacher in Orumba North Council Area in May, expressed delight that she was called to receive her money in just about five months after retirement.

Another beneficiary, Mr Eze Charles, who served in Dunukofia Local Government Area, described the payment as a good development and that people could now get their reward for meritorious service on time.

In her remarks, Mrs Gloria Ibezim, who heads the Human Resource Department of the board, stressed the importance of improved welfare for the state’s workers and retirees.

Ibezim noted that given the enormous tasks the workers performed, improving their working condition would boost their morale and make people to accept posting to the board.