Governor Ihedioha Sets Up Committe on Payment of Pensions in Imo

By Ogu Bundu Nwadike

The governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON KSC has set up a Committee to look into the lingering issue of payment of pensions in the State. It is the “Committee on Payment of Pensions in the State.

This was disclosed in a press release signed by Barr. Uche Onyeagucha, Secretary to the Government of Imo State, listing 13 Members of the Committee and itemizing 8 terms of reference.

The Members of the Committee were listed to include the following persons:

1. Mr. Evans C. Uzokwe (HOS Rtd.) – Chairman

2. Mr. Nnaemeka Nnoromele – Secretary

3. Sir Tim Azubuike – Member

4. Hon. Barr. Mike Ndubuaku(Chairman Local Government Service Commission and Chairman Local Government Pensions Board) – Member

5. Barr Chima Nwanna (D-COS) – Member

6. Pst. Livy Ashiegbu – Member

7. Permanent Secretary, Office of the HOS – Member

8. Office of the Accountant General’s Representative – Member

9. Representative of Nigeria Labour Congress – Member

10. Representative of Trade Union Congress – Member

11. Mr. J.O. Eze – Member

12. F.I. Agba – Member

13. Chief Okey Ewunonu – Member

The terms of reference were listed as follows:

1. To ascertain the exact number of months of arrears of Pensions owed State Pensioners.

2. To ascertain the exact number of months of arrears of Pensions owed Local Government Pensioners.

3. To Suggest the best way to verifying and capturing all existing Pensioners who retired from the State Public Service.

4. To suggest the best way of verifying and capturing all existing Pensioners who retired from the Local Government System.

5. To determine the actual number of Pensioners in the State and Local Governments respectively.

6 To advise the Government on the sustainable ways to pay Pensions regularly.

1. To advise the Government on the propriety of introducing and embracing the Contributory Pension Scheme in Imo State.

2. To make any other recommendations that will assist the Government of Imo State in tackling the problem of Pension payment.

The Committee was given two (2) months to complete their assignment.