The Enugu State Government has uncovered 2640 ghost and deceased pensioners on payroll during a verification exercise organized to clear the backlog of pensions of Local Government retired workers in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia revealed this adding that 7109 local government pensioners received monthly payments of close to half a billion naira in July; this includes 989 newly captured entrants who retired between April 2022 and April 2024.
“Recall that His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, had earlier promised that his administration was poised to eradicate poverty in the state by clearing the inherited backlog of pensions and other liabilities, and also keep up with its current fiscal responsibility to the citizens, among other measures.”
“This will improve our people’s standard of living, raise purchasing power, and promote strong and sustainable economic growth in the state,” the SSG said.
“7109 Local Government pensioners received monthly payments of close to half a billion naira in July, including 989 newly captured entrants who retired between April 2022 and April 2024 but were not accommodated in the pension scheme.”
Disturbed at the level of fraud in the pension system, the SSG revealed that the record provided by the Local Government Pensions Board shows that the state had been paying over 8760 local government retirees as of April 2024 as against the 7109 verified pensioners.
The SSG further disclosed, “We are reforming the pensions system through strong institutional policies that would make it difficult for corrupt elements to find their way into the scheme. We have been able to digitalize the institution with measures that would make every transaction and payment transparent, accountable, and traceable.”
On the state’s commitment towards clearing arrears of unpaid pensions, Prof. Onyia lauds the payment mode adopted by the state stating that it is efficient as it will enable the state government to pay off the backlogs within the stipulated timeline.
“This administration will continue to support our citizens, particularly our senior citizens who dedicated their time and energy to serving the state. We will soon phase out all arrears inherited by the administration,” Professor Onyia, SSG to Enugu State Government said.
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