The Enugu State Government has initiated the payment of pensions to local government retirees as part of its commitment to clear outstanding pension arrears. A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, revealed that over 7,000 eligible pensioners have already received their payments after undergoing a comprehensive biometric verification process.
The verification exercise, conducted by the Local Government Pensioners Biometric Verification Committee, identified and removed 2,640 ghost and deceased pensioners from the payroll. This move is aimed at ensuring that only legitimate retirees receive their benefits and is part of broader efforts by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration to address inherited pension liabilities.
Prof. Onyia emphasized that the administration is dedicated to improving the standard of living for Enugu residents by addressing the backlog of pensions and other financial obligations. He stated that in July, a total of 7,109 verified local government pensioners received nearly half a billion naira in payments, including 989 new retirees who were previously excluded from the pension scheme.
The government has expressed its commitment to phasing out all inherited pension arrears within the timeline it has set. Additionally, the pension system in Enugu is undergoing reforms to increase transparency, accountability, and traceability, making it harder for corrupt practices to infiltrate the system.
Prof. Onyia reiterated that the state administration will continue to support its senior citizens, ensuring that they receive the benefits they deserve after years of dedicated service.
