Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State will this week, baring any unforseen circumstances, begin the payment of gratuities to retirees in the state.
Uzodimma is considering the commencement of the payment of gratuities to retirees from Tuesday, April 30, 2024 to coincide with this year’s Workers Day celebration, which is on May 1, 2024.
The governor gave the indication on Sunday at the Imo State Government Banquet Hall while making remarks during a surprise birthday lunch organised by himself and his wife Chioma, to honour his Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie.
Addressing two major issues, Uzodimma stated that he is desirous of leaving a resounding legacy when he leaves office.
Uzodimma revealed that it was his desire to ensure that Imo State would start generating her own power which was in line with the master plan of late Governor Sam Mbakwe.
According to him, it would also help stimulate the economy of the state.
Uzodimma talked about a reformed Civil Service where the workers will be proud to put in their best while still in Service, with the hope that when they retire, they will reap the benefit of the efforts they invested working for the government by receiving their pension and gratuities promptly.
Uzodimma not only pledged to tackle both issues with zest, but went on to reveal his readiness to start payment of gratuities to retirees from Tuesday, April 30, 2024 when he believes the processes for disbursement of funds to the recipients would be ready.
It was a pronouncement that drew thunderous applause from those present as well as interjection by the guests which included members of the Organised Labour, who lauded Uzodimma for his people-oriented programmes and policies since he assumed Office as Governor in 2020.
To further assure Imo retirees of his readiness to start paying their entitlements, Uzodimma started he has been saving money in a dedicated account which he named “gratuity” since he took over power in 2020, and had resisted every pressure to tamper with the account until now that he was confident that there is enough money in the account to start dealing with the issue of gratuity.
“I am not borrowing money to pay,” Uzodimma stated. “I have been saving money in a dedicated account which I call gratuity, sometime N200m, at other times N100m, since 2020. I have resisted all pressure to tamper with the account and I can confidently say now that we have up to N10 billion in the account to start payment of gratuities.”
Uzodinma however revealed that retirees who manipulated their data in order to be paid more than they are due would be exposed and will be paid exactly what is due to them based on the accurate government records of time of their employment and retirement.
“We have a system that will sort all that out,” Uzodinma revealed. “So, this observation is necessary to guard against unnecessary expectations from those who retired, for instance on Grade level 10 but went and collected document or letter indicating they retired on Grade level 15”.
Uzodinma thanked the leadership of the Organised Labour in Imo State for understanding the plight of the government regarding the sincerity of purpose of his administration concerning issues of the workers and their welfare and promised that he would not disappoint their expectations.
Uzodimma who stated that the birthday lunch in honor of Anyaehie was like a “coup” he and his wife plotted, seized the opportunity to wish Anyaehie well, while thanking the Imo people for their support.