Local government councils in Enugu State will begin paying outstanding gratuities owed to retired workers, with arrears dating back to 2000. The councils will dedicate 10 per cent of their monthly allocations to the payments from October 2026.
The Deputy Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Barr. Ferdinand Ukwueze, announced the plan. He spoke to Government House correspondents after the 40th meeting of the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission, chaired by Governor Peter Mbah.
Ukwueze, who also chairs Igboeze South Local Government Area, said the councils would continue the deductions until they clear the outstanding obligations. He described the decision as a major step towards improving the welfare of retired local government workers.
Enugu LGs Set Aside 10% of Monthly Allocations
Ukwueze said the councils had agreed to adopt the state government’s approach to settling legacy gratuity debts. He explained that the initiative would ensure retirees receive their entitlements after years of waiting.
“Beginning from this month, we are going to key into what the state government has started implementing already by making sure that we offset those debts,” he said.
He added that the councils would maintain the payment arrangement until they settle all outstanding gratuities. According to him, the commitment covers workers who served in local government areas across Enugu State.
The announcement follows the Enugu State Executive Council’s approval of more than ₦32 billion for outstanding gratuities owed to retired state government workers. Those arrears also date back to 2000.
For more on the state’s development agenda, read Peter Mbah Unveils His Development Achievements and Enugu Government Intensifies Efforts to Sustain Development Gains.
Gratuity Payments Cover Arrears Dating Back to 2000
The ALGON deputy chairman confirmed that the outstanding gratuities span more than 25 years. He said the councils had committed to clearing the inherited obligations rather than allowing the debts to remain unpaid.
“For clarity, the arrears are from the year 2000, but, as I said, we are going to clear all the over 25-year legacy gratuities,” Ukwueze stated.
He described the decision as a historic move that aligns local governments with the state administration’s policy. He also said the initiative aims to ease the financial difficulties facing retirees who spent their working years in public service.
“The essence of it, once again, is to put smiles on the faces of the masses, especially those of them who spent their youthfulness serving the public in our various local government areas,” he said.
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ALGON Backs Mbah Administration’s Welfare Agenda
Ukwueze said the local government councils would continue supporting the Mbah administration. He also pledged cooperation with relevant stakeholders to sustain peace and security across the state.
The council chairman described Enugu as peaceful and safe. He assured residents that local governments would continue working with the governor and security agencies to maintain the situation.
The commitment comes as the state pursues several development initiatives. Related reports include NACCIMA’s Commendation of Mbah’s Security and Economic Agenda and Enugu’s South-East Agro-Development Programme.
Other coverage includes SEDC’s Planned Agro-Mechanisation Project in Enugu and Ogbuekwe’s Comments on the Agro-Mechanisation Project.
Local Governments Promise to Clear Outstanding Obligations
The planned deductions will begin in October and continue until the councils settle the outstanding gratuities. However, the announcement did not specify how much each council owes or when the payments will end.
Ukwueze maintained that the councils had made a firm commitment to the arrangement. He said the priority was to ensure retired workers receive the benefits they earned through years of public service.
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The planned gratuity payments could provide relief to retired local government workers who have waited years for their entitlements. Their eventual impact will depend on the councils’ consistent implementation of the agreed payment arrangement.
