LG Pays Former Political Office Holders’ Allowances

In compliance with the directive given by the Rivers State House of Assembly to the 23 local government councils in the state on the payment of the severance benefits to former political office holders in their areas, the Etche Local Government Council has commenced the payment of over N10million to 32 beneficiaries in the first instalment.

Speaking at a meeting held with the former councillors and the supervisors in his office in Okehi to kick-start the payment of the severance benefits, last Thursday, the Chairman of the council, Barrister Reginald Ukwuoma said the gesture was in line with the meeting held with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree on the need to have possible resolution to the lingering problem n the various LGAs.

Barrister Ukwuoma said he decided to clear the backlog of the severance allowance because his administration attached great importance to human development as well as youth empowerment, adding that the expectation was to clear the debt before the expiration of his tenure.

According to him, 32 out of the 40 persons who benefited from the payment were among those whose cases were not in court, adding that the remaining persons would be included when they withdraw their matters pending in the court.

The council boss explained that the reason for excluding the other persons was to avoid interferance on a matter before a competent court that has jurisdiction on the matter. He advised the affected persons to borrow a leaf from others in order to benefit from the payment.

“I decided to give the matter a human face and called them for this meeting in order to heed to the directive of the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who adviced us on ways we can assist the people by paying them to ameliorate their sufferings.”

“Our motivation on the payment is tied with our administration’s policy on youth empowerment,” adding that the payment was another form of empowerment, he stated.

He disclosed that the payment covered Councillors and Supervisors who served the council between 2004 – 2007, as well as supervisors who served between 2008 – 2011, adding that councillors of 2008 – 2011 had already been paid.

The ELGA boss averred that he was not under any form of duress from any quarter to pay the money, but that he did it to reduce the impact of suffering among the affected persons.

Barrister Ukwuoma announced that the payment would be a continuous process, noting that what cannot be achieved in a legal platform could easily be achieved through political interface.

He used the opportunity to call on them to support the present administration’s effort in its quest to transform the place for the betterment of all, rather than be used as agents of opposition in the area.

Responding on behalf of the former Councillors and supervisors, Mr. Jerome Okere thanked the council boss for his magnanimity over the payment of the debt, which was not incurred by his administration, adding that his good will would always be commended.

The former Councillor while calling on those whose cases are still pending before the court to ensure that their matters were withdrawn to enable them benefit from the payment, pledged their  unalloyed support to his administration in the area.