By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
Aged retirees from all parts of Ebonyi State were overwhelmed with joy following the prompt payment of their gratuity from 1996 to 2021 as approved by Governor Francis Nwifuru.
The ongoing payment of gratuity which is taking place at the old Government House EXCO chamber witnessed a large number of retirees, who were scheduled in batches for orderliness and prompt payment.
Members of the committee set up by the governor were seen attending to them accordingly.
The retirees who could not hide their joy, appreciated the governor for his commitment and dedication in piloting the affairs of the state, saying the payment of gratuity has clearly shown that God sent him to deliver democracy dividends to Ebonyians.
Speaking with some of the retirees who were overwhelmed with joy over the ongoing payment of gratuity, Mrs. Odah Chinwendu Ede applauded the ingenuity of Governor Francis Nwifuru for the kind gesture displayed to ensure that all retired civil servants in the state received their gratuity without any problem.
She said that the payment has resurrected them back to life.
` First and foremost, those that are attending to us are very friendly, and they are not harsh on us. They will attend to you immediately when you come; it moves from one stage to another and it doesn’t take much time. Each stage doesn’t take more than five minutes. They gave us snacks and water to cool off, and we were very happy.
`The payment of this gratuity is like raising the dead. All our aged parents have come back to life, we are grateful to Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Also speaking, another retiree, Mrs. Ugo Mkpuma expressed gratitude to God who remembered the senior citizens through Governor Francis Nwifuru, praying God to reward and bless him and his family over the unimaginable payment of gratuity.
On his part, the secretary of the committee, Prof. Mathew E. Nwocha said that the process is underway and hopes that by next week, the must-have rounded off because it is almost one month into the exercise and has been hitch-free and the retirees are happy. He noted that the system is getting better as the retirees are receiving alerts promptly as they are cleared from the central payroll system, adding that over 80% of the money has been made to the retirees.
Responding, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Mrs. Adeline Idike stated that the exercise is moving smoothly without any problem, saying that they are paying those who were listed and verified.
According to Prof.Idike, the committee started on the 26th of Sept.2023 and the total number in the lists of verified retirees is 1,715, but as of yesterday 19th Oct.2023, they have verified 1,322 and paid out 3.22 billion, adding that special day has been set aside for the families of diseased retirees and next of kin.
She also appreciated Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwiguru for giving special attention to the welfare of retired civil servants in Ebonyi state by ensuring prompt payment of gratuity, saying that no casualty has been recorded since the exercise started.
`So far so good, the whole process is going well, from my estimation. We are paying those who were verified from November 2022. So, what we are doing is to pay those who have been verified and listed for this exercise.
`We started on the 26th of Sept.2023 and the total number in the lists of verified retirees is 1,715, but as of yesterday 19th Oct.2023, we have verified 1,322 and paid out 3.22 billion.
We also have a special day set aside for the beneficiaries of the diseased retirees; next of kin or those whose parents made as next of kin. And of course, next of kin to spouses. As you can see, we have many of them coming today, and we are working hard to meet up because some of them came from far places and wouldn`t want them to go back unattended to.
`We thank God that we have never had any health challenges from the beneficiaries since we started this payment of gratuity.
`Whatever I will say, will be so economical in terms of appreciation to Governor Francis Nwifuru because I believe that he must have heard so much, from the horse mouths; the encomium, and the prayers they have been pouring on the governor. It has been overwhelming. For me, this exercise was supposed to be a stressful assignment, but from all indications, it has given everybody taking part in it, great joy. The joy is from the whole environment because of the group of people we have here; and the way they comport themselves and express their joy.` Prof. Idike explained.
Recall that Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru recently set up a committee to ensure the prompt payment of gratuity to all retired civil servants from 1996 to 2021.
The governor appointed Prof. Adeline Idike as the Chairman, among other members of the committee.
