In his determination to reduce poverty to the barest minimum, Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah has approved payment of gratuities of retirees with the Verification Exercise for Gratuity and related entitlements starting on Monday, 24th February
This was contained in a statement made available by the Secretary to the State Government,Prof Chidiebere Onyia to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu.
According to Prof Onyia, the exercise is specifically for individuals who are due for gratuity payments and related entitlements
The statement reads:
GOOD NEWS TO ALL ENUGU RETIREES AS GOVERNOR PETER MBAH APPROVES PAYMENTS OF GRATUITIES AS PART OF THE EFFORT OF ERADICATING POVERTY IN ENUGU STATE
Note the following important steps if you are affected:
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT
The Enugu State Government is pleased to inform the general public, particularly retirees and next of kin of deceased retirees, that the Verification Exercise for Gratuity and related entitlements will commence on Monday, 24th February 2025. This exercise is specifically for individuals who are due for gratuity payments and related entitlements.
This announcement follows the successful completion of the verification exercises for active workers and pensioners, conducted earlier. The government appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders during the exercise and look forward to the same level of participation and compliance during the gratuity verification.
Purpose of the Gratuity Verification Exercise
The verification exercise is designed to:
- Update and validate the records of retirees and next of kin.
- Ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries receive their gratuity and related payments.
- Eliminate fraud, discrepancies, and delays in the payment process.
- Create a reliable and accurate database for future reference.
Who Should Participate?
- Retirees who are yet to receive their gratuity payments.
- Next of Kin of deceased retirees who are due for gratuity or related entitlements.
Required Documents for Verification:
To ensure a smooth and successful verification process, all participants are required to come with the following documents:
- Notice of Retirement
- Pension Form and Pension Authority
- Letter of First Appointment
- Last Promotion Letter
- Bank Verification Number (BVN)
- National Identification Number (NIN)
- 2 Recent Passport Photographs
- Payslip or Statement of Account for at least 5years
- Death Certificate (for Next of Kin)
- Letter of Administration/Affidavit
- Any Other Relevant Documents
Verification Schedule:
The verification exercise will be conducted in phases to ensure efficiency and avoid overcrowding. Participants are assigned specific dates based on their last place of work or local government area.
- Phase 1: 24th February – 10th March, 2025 – Retirees from specific ministries and LGAs.
- Phase 2: 11th – 25th March, 2025 – Next of kin of deceased retirees.
- Phase 3: 26th March – 2nd April, 2025 – Mop-up exercise for those who missed earlier phases.
- Phase 4: 3rd -17th April, 2025 – Collation and compilation of beneficiaries and submission of report
Participants will be notified of their specific dates and venues through SMS, radio announcements, and posters.
Instructions for Pensioners Abroad or Hospitalized:
If you are unable to attend the verification exercise in person due to being abroad or hospitalized, please follow the instructions below to ensure your verification is completed remotely and in a timely manner.
First, provide a signed affidavit or letter of consent authorizing a representative to submit your documents on your behalf. The letter should include your full name, pension identification number/pension card details, and the name of the authorized representative. This will enable the bearer to act on your behalf during the verification process.
Next, ensure that all required documents are submitted by your authorized representative to the verification team. In addition to the physical submission, you are required to email scanned copies of all necessary documents to verifygratuity@gmail.com. Please include your full name and pension identification number in the email subject line to facilitate easy identification and processing.
Once your documents are received, our team will process them and complete your verification remotely. You will be notified as soon as the process is finalized.
Venues for Verification
The verification exercise will take place at designated centers across the state. The main venue will be:
Enugu State College of Education, Technical.
Time: 8:00 am daily
Additional venues will be announced for participants in remote areas.
Important Notes:
- All participants must come with original documents and photocopies for submission.
- Ensure your bank account details are accurate and up-to-date.
- Arrive at the venue early and follow all instructions from verification officers.
- Strict adherence to the assigned dates and venues will ensure a smooth process.
Grievance Redress Mechanism
For complaints or inquiries, please contact:
- Helpline: 0916-810-1470
- Email: verifygratuity@gmail.com
The Enugu State Government is committed to ensuring that this exercise is transparent, efficient, and beneficial to all retirees and their families. Your cooperation is essential to the success of this initiative.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the progress of Enugu State.
Signed
Prof. Chidiebere Onyia
Enugu State Government
February 12, 2025
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
- MmlLl