Ebonyi Govt releases over N3bn for payment of gratuities
From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State government has released the sum of N3,851,763,617.65 for the immediate commencement of payment of gratuities.
The State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Engr Jude Okpor, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing Journalists on the outcome of the Wednesday’s State Executive Council meeting.
Recall that the state government had earmarked N4.3bn for the payment of gratuity owed to retirees since 1996.
“Progress report on the payment of gratuity was received by Council from the Head of Service. Council approved the immediate commencement of payment from tomorrow (Thursday), September 21, 2023 with a release of the the sum of N3,851,763,617.65.
“Recall that EXCO had earlier received a preliminary report on this matter during which the sum of about N4.3 billion was earmarked for the exercise. However, following the actual 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 (retirees) at present are 1,715 which amounted to the approved sum at council deliberations, ” Okpor said.
On the ongoing recruitment.of 1454 civil servants, the Commissioner said the Council received a report that a total of 17, 834 applications were received by the State Civil Service Commission, out of which only 5,352 met the requirement of submitting Original Certificates, with their application while the rest submitted their statements of results.
“Council resolved to uphold the above criteria for eligibility for shortlisting with a proviso that opportunities should be given to those who did not attach their certificates but are able to provide theirs before the screening date.
“Addressing the Council, the Chairman of Council emphasized that the recruitment should be merit-based so as to give all applicants equal opportunity to compete for the job. Council further urged the Commission to fast track the process to ensure that the exercise is concluded as soon as possible,” he added.
Okpor further disclosed that the Council received a progress report from the State Palliative Committee which he said had assured that plans had reached advanced stage for the distribution of over 100, 000 bags of rice and other materials to vulnerable households in the State and charged the committee to hasten arrangements for immediate distribution of the palliatives.
“Council received a report on the state of the Ebonyi State Pulverization Plant at Okposi Umuoghara in Ezza North Local Government Area and approved that a brand new Recycling Machine be sourced for installation at the plant to achieve the Waste-to-Wealth vision of the state.
“Council further directed the Commissioner for Environment to liaise with his counterpart of Capital City Development to draw a waste management solution to effectively address indiscriminate waste disposal in the state capital and bring to next EXCO meeting for consideration,” the Information Commissioner stated
