Information available to this medium states that as at today, 2nd December 2024, Gratuity recipients have grown to 8,350 people, while the remaining 3,811 persons have been queued for clearance, as Governor Hope Uzodimma ends their 20 years of woes.
As gathered, over 16.3% of the recipients represent approximately 88% of workers that retired since 2020 when the 3R Government of Hope Uzodimma came to power.
Our correspondent learnt that this 8,350 recipients, represents approximately 70% clearance rate of the overall sumitted outstanding Gratuity requests.
Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Public Communication, Prince Eze Ugochukwu said that pensioners in Imo State are heaping praises on the Governor for executing the long-awaited payment of their gratuities.
He said that the pensioners described the new development as a fulfilment of a promise unfulfilled for two decades that has uplifted many of them who have suffered in silence since the return to civilian governance in 1999.
Comrade J.B. Ugochukwu, Chairman of the Imo state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), hailed the gesture as a remarkable achievement that will be etched in the memories of the state’s senior citizens.
He sad, “We can’t thank our God-sent governor enough. Although not every pensioner has been paid, the majority are expressing their gratitude.
Mrs. Mary Nkemjika, expressed her disbelief at receiving her gratuities after a grueling 15-year wait.
“I retired in 2009, and since then, no government has paid me a single kobo in gratuities. Even my monthly pension was erratic.”
Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro from Arondizuogu echoed similar sentiments, noting how overwhelming it was to finally receive what he thought would never materialize.
“I never thought I would be alive to see my gratuities. It’s only through the grace of God and the efforts of the governor that this has come to pass.”
Mr. Joe Nwadike from Aboh Mbaise, celebrated his own long-awaited gratuity after a 17-year delay.
He praised the governor for establishing a system of regular pension payments and referred to the recent gratuity payment as “the icing on the cake.”
“The changes we have witnessed since the coming of Uzodimma are remarkable,” Nwadike shared, revealing that he had even reached out to the Commissioner for Information to personally convey his gratitude to the governor.
Speaking further, the SSA said, “This significant policy shift follows a series of prior grievances, with pensioners lamenting irregular monthly payments and outstanding gratuities that had accumulated over the years.
“Governor Uzodimma not only initiated the payment of these overdue gratuities but also cleared existing pension arrears, ensuring a more regular monthly income for retirees.
“As Imo’s elderly population continues to celebrate this newfound financial relief, the actions of Gov. Uzodimma have sparked hope and restored dignity.”
