By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State Government has commenced the process for the payment of gratuities to retired local government staff from 1996 to date

To this end, Governor Francis Nwifuru has inaugurated a Six-Member Committee headed by Mrs. Catherine Ogbu to verify and pay genuine local government retirees.

Other members include Mrs. Mbam Joy, Dr. Cajetan Oketa, Hon. Justice Iheanachor Chima, Comrade David Elom representing Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT). While Mr. Martins Uguru is to serve as the Secretary.

Governor Nwifuru charged the committee to be above board in the discharge of the assignment.

"I have confidence in the calibre of persons selected to do this assignment. I want everybody who had opportunity to serve this State at the local government level to get their full entitlements. We are embarking on this not because we have enough but just like I told the local government Chairmen that the payment is as important as physical projects,” Nwifuru said in a statement issued on Friday by his Chief press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, and made available to journalists in Abakalili.

He directed the committee to ensure each retiree is paid the same day they are verified and confirmed.

"Use available documents as guides and ensure every retiree receives alert immediately he or she is verified," the Governor said.

He appreciated the Local Government Council Chairmen for attaching importance to the exercise.