Gov Nwifuru to Pay NECO/WAEC Fees And Gratuities of LG Pensioners
In view of the present economic realities in the country, Ebonyi State government says it would assist students in public schools to pay for their NECO and WAEC registration fees. 
While receiving the management of the Local Government Staff Pensions Board led by her Executive Secretary, Mr. Emeka Nwonu, the State Governor, Right Honourable (Dr) Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru also announced that payment of gratuities for local government pensioners.
Commending the Executive Secretary of the Board for his administrative proactiveness, the Governor observed that the recent increase in NECO and WAEC fees was very challenging to most parents hence the willingness to cushion the effect.
“I learnt that the amount for NECO and WAEC registration has been increased from 18, 000 Naira to about 34, 000 Naira and people are finding it difficult to cope with the situation. I have directed the State Commissioner for Education to calculate the number of students who are registering for the examinations in public schools so that we can look at it because It is our duty to serve the people. If we can’t pay all, we can pay at least 50%”
“Payment of gratuities is now on monthly basis, if you have not been paid gratuity, you will not be qualified to receive pension. Therefore, I advise you to always proceed on 3 months retirement leave to enable you process your papers so that you will be paid immediately. We are not interested in owing.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Comrade Emeka Nwonu said the breakdown of the retirees’ unpaid benefits showed that the initial pension arrears stand at N648,710,046.98, while the unpaid gratuity is N6,956,264,912.02.
He also noted that the unpaid death benefits (arrears) for the deceased workforce is N746,948,420.76 but the unpaid death benefits (Gratuity) is N673,150,046.44 and the total stands at the sum of N9,025,073,426.20bn.
He disclosed that over 6,055 local government retirees are awaiting unpaid retirement benefits.
“Your Excellency, I am here with the report of my findings for the official presentation to you. But summarily, we have a total of 4920 pensioners alive awaiting their unpaid retirement benefits while 1135 are dead but owed retirement benefits,” he said.
