Enugu State Government has approved a sum of N30 Billion for the payment of outstanding legacy gratuity to retired public servants in three tranches of ₦10 billion each through the Veri-Pay platform, with the first tranche scheduled to commence next week.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Prof Chidiebere Onyia disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing at the end of the State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Enugu. He explained that the initiative was part of the administration’s efforts to clear an estimated ₦32 billion legacy gratuity debt and ensure that eligible retirees receive their entitlements.
He said retirees who participated in verification exercise would be paid and after the first tranche, the retirees would undergo re-verification before receiving payments in the second and third tranche to authenticate their records, prevent fraud and ensure that the funds reach the rightful beneficiaries.
According to him, the first ₦10 billion tranche will cover 30 per cent of the verified gratuity entitlements of eligible retirees, covering records dating from 2000 to tbe commencement of the administration. The second and third tranches will follow as the preceding allocations are exhausted.
He explained that the State Executive Council’s approval was in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to settle inherited gratuity obligations rather than transfer them to the next administration.
The SSG noted that the estimated ₦32 billion legacy gratuity liability had been captured in the 2026 budget approved by the Enugu State House of Assembly, providing the financial framework for the phased settlement.
He said the administration suspended the previous gratuity verification process in December 2025 and established a committee to review records dating back to 2000, with the aim of validating genuine claims and eliminating fraudulent entries.
According to him, the exercise was designed to establish an accurate database of eligible beneficiaries and ensure that payments were made transparently rather than arbitrarily.
The government disclosed that 6,783 records had been verified, adding that some applicants had encountered difficulties because of the rigorous process of authenticating documents and preventing fraudulent claims.
The SSG urged retirees experiencing challenges with their verification to contact the committee responsible for the exercise for clarification and resolution of their cases.
He assured eligible retirees that the payment framework was designed to cover genuine beneficiaries, stressing that the phased disbursement and re-verification process would promote fairness, accountability and transparency.
On local government gratuity obligations, estimated at more than ₦10 billion, he said the government was considering an arrangement involving monthly deductions of ₦1 billion from local government funds over 10 months, subject to consultations with the relevant authorities.
He explained that the proposed arrangement was expected to facilitate the commencement of payments to local government retirees alongside the state-level exercise.
Addressing questions on pension arrears, the SSG maintained that verified pensioners were receiving their entitlements and clarified that the immediate focus of the council’s decision was the settlement of legacy gratuities.
He dismissed suggestions that the state government was not responsible for pension obligations incurred before the current administration, saying that retirement benefits earned by public servants remained the responsibility of government, irrespective of changes in administration.
The SSG further disclosed that the administration would transmit to a contributory pension arrangement to prevent a recurrence of accumulated gratuity debts, after clearing the gratuity debts inherited.
Under the proposed arrangement, workers’ retirement contributions would be managed by pension fund administrators, enabling eligible retirees to access their benefits without depending entirely on future government budgetary releases.
He said a committee had been established to work with pension fund administrators to identify the requirements for implementing the arrangement and address issues that could undermine its effectiveness.
The SSG briefed Newsmen alongside the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Malachy Agbo; Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Chimaobi Okorie; and Commissioner for Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Prof Benedett Ekwutosi Okoli,
