Announced on Sunday, the Enugu State Government has commenced the disbursement of pensions to local government retirees. The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed that more than 7,000 eligible pensioners have already received their payments after a thorough biometric verification process.
Through the Local Government Pensioners Biometric Verification Committee, a verification exercise was carried out, leading to the identification and removal of 2,640 ghost and deceased pensioners who were erroneously receiving payments. This initiative is part of the government’s commitment to settling outstanding pensions and gratuities from previous administrations, ensuring that genuine retirees receive their entitled benefits.
Governor Peter Mbah had pledged to alleviate poverty in the state by addressing the backlog of pensions and other financial obligations. This move aims to enhance the living standards of residents, bolster purchasing power, and foster sustainable economic growth in Enugu State.
In July, a total of 7,109 local government pensioners received monthly payments totaling nearly half a billion naira. This figure includes 989 newly enrolled retirees who were not initially included in the pension scheme but retired between April 2022 and April 2024.
Expressing concern over fraudulent activities within the pension system, the SSG highlighted discrepancies in the number of pensioners receiving payments compared to verified individuals. The government remains resolute in settling all pension arrears within the stipulated timeframe.
The state is committed to implementing robust institutional measures to prevent corruption within the pension system. By digitalizing processes and ensuring transparency, accountability, and traceability in all transactions, the government aims to safeguard pension funds and provide reliable support to retirees.