NAN-HE-16
Welfare
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, Feb. 1, 2017 (NAN) The Ebonyi Government on Wednesday in Abakaliki inaugurated a Local Government Advisory Committee to work out acceptable template that would facilitate payment of gratuity and other pension benefits.
The committee, inaugurated by the Ebonyi commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters (LGCM), Chief Samuel Okoronkwo, comprised representatives from the 13 local government areas of the state, organized Labour and Local Government Pension Board.
The committee, headed by Chikezie Igu, was charged to come up with lasting solutions to ease the payment of gratuity and other pension benefits to local government retirees.
Okoronkwo told the committee that the state government was desirous of ensuring that the payment of gratuity, pension and other welfare of retired workers from the local government system received accelerated attention.
“You have been saddled with great responsibility and your task starts immediately. You will move round the local government areas with the view to ascertaining the gratuity and pension stand of each local government.
“You are to sample opinions from stakeholders on ways to ensure speedy payment of gratuity, pension and other welfare of retired council workers.
“The government under the leadership of Gov. Dave Umahi is committed to ensuring that the welfare of pensioners is given priority attention.
“The government is poised to alleviate the plight of the pensioners hence the inauguration of the committee, ” Okoronkwo said.
He urged the committee to do a thorough job, adding that government reposed much confidence in its ability to deliver good result.
Igu, the committee’s Chairman, thanked government for constituting the members, which he said, would address the plight of retired staff of local government.
He also commended government for the confidence reposed in them and promised to execute the assignment satisfactorily and with due diligence.
“I want to assure you that the committee will not relent in carrying out the assignment with all amount of commitment and expediency . (NAN)
ODO/IA
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman