…one is proud to state that Govenor Ugwuanyi’s passion for the people’s wellbeing is unbeatable and a reflection of his passionate disposition and uncommon leadership style, which confirm his stance that Enugu State, is in the hands of God.
When, at the behest of President Muhammadu Buhari, the federal government announced the decision to release about N522.74 billion in the first tranche of the Paris Club refund to the 36 states of the federation to enable them meet pressing financial obligations such as the payment of salaries and pensions arrears, mixed reactions of excitement, doubt, suspense and speculation greeted the move.
When, thereafter, the refund was successfully released to states for disbursement in line with the purpose it was meant for, it became a subject of controversy as wild accusations and counter accusations, as well as denials/clarifications over the ingenuity and sincerity of some states to properly manage the refund, dominated the air space.
For instance, it was reported in the national dailies that seven governors were under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting the funds. There was also a plethora of other allegations bordering on the alleged mismanagement of the Paris Club refund, which attracted denials and clarifications from various quarters, especially the Nigeria Governors Forum.
On the modalities for the funds’ disbursement, it was reported that the federal government, among other criteria, directed that a minimum of about 50 percent of the funds should be devoted to the payment of salaries and pensions, in line with its plan to stimulate the economy vis-à-vis consumer demand.
In Enugu State, where Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi holds sway, contrary to the ill-feelings in some sections of the public over the disbursement, it may interest one to note that prior to the accusations, the governor had mapped out strategies on how to transparently disburse the N3.9 billion allocated to the 17 local government areas of the state from the Paris Club refund for the best interest of the beneficiaries.
Consequently, it is on record that the governor, immediately after the state received the fund, constituted a disbursement committee made up of all relevant stakeholders, such as representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), the state’s Ministry of Finance, the Locla Government Pension Board, Local Government Service Commission, among others.
In further display of his commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability, the governor also included representatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) in the committee.
It is pertinent to also note that although the federal government had requested that at least 50 percent of the refund should be used for the payment of outstanding salaries and pensions, Governor Ugwuanyi, as one who is always there for the people and has deep concern for the pains the Local Government workers and pensioners in the state were passing through, as a result of a backlog of unpaid salaries and pensions, directed that 100 percent of the fund be used for the payment of their arrears.
The governor did not stop at that. He also directed that all payments should be made through bank cheques, in the spirit of transparency and accountability, and equally requested for a full scale verification of the beneficiaries to avoid any form of manipulation or injustice.
On the disbursement chart, the committee agreed that the LG workers would receive 75 percent of the refund, representing the full payment of their arrears, while the pensioners will get 25 percent, immediately after LG workers are paid, to take care of some of their (pensioners) arrears.
One is, therefore, impressed to note that the commencement of the payment of the arrears of LG workers’ salaries in Enugu State has remained successful and commendable, with the beneficiaries smiling to the bank with their full outstanding remuneration.
The committee’s secretary, Hon. Innocent Eze was on hand to confirm that workers in Nsukka Local Government Area, which he noted has the highest number of months of outstanding salaries of the 17 local government areas of the state, were the first to receive their 14 months salary arrears being owed them by the council.
The first to applaud Governor Ugwuanyi’s sense of transparency, accountability, and magnanimity towards the management of the Paris Club refund to the state, was the state leadership of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
The Union, through its state chairman, Comrade Kenneth Ugwueze had commended the governor for his wisdom and concern in approving the use of 100 percent of the refund for the settlement of all the outstanding salaries of local government workers in the State and some arrears of local government pensioners. The body described the governor’s decision as a true demonstration of his commitment to their welfare, adding that it has not only brought succour to them but also hope.
Away from the Paris Club refund, Governor Ugwuanyi has equally shown tremendous goodwill and support for the welfare of the state’s workers through the regular payment of salaries on or before the 25th of every month, when many states are unable to pay because of the prevailing economic crisis in the country. His administration has established and sustained a harmonious relationship with the workers, which has resulted in a conducive labour atmosphere being enjoyed in the state, today.
Recently, the Bishop of the Diocese of Enugu North (Anglican Communion), Ngwo, Enugu State, Rt. Rev. Engr. Sosthenes Eze, while conferring on Govenor Ugwuanyi the award of Transformational Leader of the Year for Infrastructural Development to commemorate the Diocese’s 100 years of preaching the gospel, noted that the governor has shown uncommon love to the less privileged through his administration’s grassroots development initiatives by extending massive development to the most-neglected areas in the rural communities.
With all these, and many other narratives in mind, one is proud to state that Govenor Ugwuanyi’s passion for the people’s wellbeing is unbeatable and a reflection of his passionate disposition and uncommon leadership style, which confirm his stance that Enugu State, is in the hands of God.
On this note, I wish the workers a happy May Day Celebration!
Louis Amoke writes from Enugu State.
