The bottle necks that have been on the issue of benefits and gratuities of retirees of Local governments staff in Rivers State, has been laid to rest. Following a pre-retirement workshop, organized for retiring staff of Local Governments in the state, by Local Government Service Commission, Rivers State.
Speaking on the issue of bottle necks surrounding the payment of retirees, at the City Hall of Port Harcourt LGA of Rivers State, venue of the one day worship, that took place on the 18th of December, 2012. The Commission Chairman, Chief Hon. Azubuike Nmerukini, noted that he does not see any bottle neck in the issue, only for one to take his assignment very seriously.
He added that what needed to be done is to get the names of the people (retirees), confirm it and have their entitlements paid to them or possibly go to the elderly ones, confirm that they are living and pay them, stating that the retirees must not be paid after suffering or when they are dead.
Chief Nmerukini explained that he has mandated his people to ensure that things are done properly, by paying all the retirees of Rivers State Local Government Staff, adding that they have contributed their quota in working for the state. He thereby advice the retirees to see his gesture as a blessing to them, as it has not been like that before, urging them to go and join the society, since some of them are still young, pointing that the issue of age and certificate falsification has adequately been looked into.
In the same vein, Barr. Franklyn Ajunwo, President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, Rivers State Branch, described the workshop as unprecedented, saying that it has not happened before, where retirees are gathered and addressed.
He disclosed that the payment of retires has been effective in the state, through the state Staff Pension Board, which has helped to reduce crowd at the Pension Board. On the age and certificate falsification, Ajunwo said that the matter should be verified and condemned, if found to be truth.
The NULGE Boss, continued that their role on the said matter will be to advise and educate their Staff on the dangers of such act. He also spoke on the need for retirees or pensioners to be paid as at when due, in order to be useful to themselves out there.
On the possibility of NULGE winning the fight, for local government autonomy, as opposed by state governors, and the reason for their autonomy demand. Franklyn opined that the demand is a popular one by Nigerians, stressing that governors and Federal Law makers are Nigerians that will always abide by the simple majority votes of the people, which is what democracy is all about, according to Ajunwo. He further enumerated the importance of Local Government Autonomy, such as: independence, effective development and the opportunity to hold people accountable.
By Blaise Elumezie
