Relief at Last for Retirees As Enugu LGs Begin Process to Pay 25-Year Gratuity Arrears

Relief may finally be on the way for retired local government workers in Enugu State as the 17 local government councils have announced plans to begin clearing outstanding gratuity arrears dating back to 2000.

The councils, under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Enugu State chapter, have resolved to dedicate 10 per cent of their monthly allocations to the payment of the accumulated entitlements from October 2026 until the debts are fully settled.

The decision is expected to bring succour to retirees who have waited for more than 25 years to receive their gratuities after years of service to their respective local government areas.

The Deputy Chairman of Enugu State ALGON and Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, Hon. Ferdinand Ukwueze, disclosed the decision while briefing Government House correspondents at the end of the 40th meeting of the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission, chaired by Governor Peter Mbah.

Ukwueze described the initiative as a historic intervention by the local government system, designed to complement the state government's ongoing efforts to settle outstanding gratuities owed to retired public servants.

The announcement comes barely a week after the Enugu State Executive Council approved more than ₦32 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retired state government workers, whose arrears also date back to 2000.

According to Ukwueze, the local governments have decided to adopt a similar approach to ensure that former council workers are not left out of the administration's efforts to address inherited gratuity obligations.

“One of the high points of today's meeting is that, in a very historic manner, the local government system in Enugu State has taken the bold step of aligning with the state's policy, particularly with respect to alleviating the hardship of the masses.

“In line with the payment of the legacy gratuity that the state government embarked on a couple of days ago, the local governments have also decided at the Economic Planning Commission meeting to step into that arrangement to make sure that we clear all the gratuity inherited by us,” he said.

He explained that the 10 per cent allocation would be set aside every month until the outstanding liabilities were completely cleared, assuring retirees that the councils were committed to fulfilling their obligations.

“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.

“The decision is that starting from this month, 10 per cent of our monthly allocation will be dedicated to that responsibility until it is cleared. So, once we start it, there is no going back. Every worker who worked in our local governments will have access to this entitlement,” Ukwueze stated.

He further emphasised that the gratuity arrears accumulated over more than two decades, expressing the councils' determination to ensure that all eligible retirees receive their entitlements.

“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,” he reiterated.

The initiative, if sustained, is expected to ease the financial difficulties faced by retired local government employees, many of whom have spent years awaiting payments earned through their years of service.

Ukwueze said the decision reflected the councils' commitment to improving the welfare of former public servants who devoted their productive years to serving their communities.

“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.

He also reaffirmed the local governments' support for Governor Mbah's administration, pledging continued collaboration with the state government and security agencies to sustain peace and security across Enugu State.

“Enugu State is safe. Enugu State is peaceful. And we will continue to partner with our governor and security agencies to keep it so,” he added.