The Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru has disbursed the sum of N3,851,763,617.65 for the prompt payment of One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifteen retirees.
This was made known by the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Jude Okpor, during a chat with journalists following the executive council meeting held at the State Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki, on Thursday.
Okpor explained that 1,715 retirees were identified as eligible beneficiaries, and this amount was approved during the council’s discussions.
He said, “A progress report on the payment of gratuity was presented to the Council by the Head of Service. Council approved the immediate commencement of payment starting tomorrow (Thursday), September 21, 2023, with a disbursement of N3,851,763,617.65.
The EXCO had earlier received a preliminary report on this matter, during which approximately N4.3 billion was allocated for the exercise.
However, after the Gratuity Committee and other relevant government bodies compiled and computed the data, “it was established that the total number of eligible beneficiaries, retirees, at present is 1,715, which matches the approved sum discussed in the council.”
The Commissioner equally pointed out that the council had sanctioned the sourcing of a new recycling machine for installation at the Ebonyi State Pulverisation Plant in Okposi Umuoghara, Ezza North Local Government Area, to realise the waste-to-wealth vision of the state.
Also, the council ordered the Commissioner for Environment to join hand with the Commissioner of Capital City Development to devise a waste management solution that effectively addresses indiscriminate waste disposal in the state capital, to be presented at the next EXCO meeting for consideration.
Okpor stressed that the state government had organised plans to distribute over 100,000 bags of rice and other materials to vulnerable households in the state.
“The Council received a progress report from the State Palliative Committee, assuring that plans have progressed significantly for the distribution of over 100,000 bags of rice and other materials to vulnerable households in the state.
“The Council urged the committee to expedite arrangements for the immediate distribution of the palliatives.”
