Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, is set to kick-start the disbursement of gratuities to retired workers across the state starting this week.

The governor disclosed this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, on Sunday.

He is considering payment of the gratuities to the retirees from Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to coincide with this year’s Workers Day on May 1, 2024.

He disclosed this on Sunday at the Imo State Government Banquet Hall while making remarks on the sidelines of a birthday lunch organised by him and his wife in honour of his Chief of Staff, Nnamdi Anyaehie.

Speaking on two major issues he said he is desirous of leaving a resounding legacy, Uzodimma said he desires to ensure that Imo State generates power in line with the master plan of late Governor Sam Mbakwe, as a way to help stimulate the economy of the state.

Also, he spoke about a reformed civil service, adding the workers will be proud to put in their best while still in Service, with the hope that on retirement, they will reap the benefit of the efforts they invested in working for the government by receiving their pension and gratuities promptly.

Uzodimma also expressed his readiness to commence payment of gratuities to retirees from Tuesday, April 30, 2024, when he thinks the processes for disbursement to the recipients would be ready.

The statement said members of the Organised Labour in attendance commended the governor for his people-oriented programmes and policies since he assumed office as in 2020.

Uzodimma said he has been saving money in a dedicated account tagged “gratuity” since 2020 when took over power.

“I am not borrowing money to pay. I have been saving money in a dedicated account which I call gratuity, sometimes N200m, at other times N100m, since 2020. I have resisted all pressure to tamper with the account and I can confidently say now that we have up to N10 billion in the account to start payment of gratuities,” Governor Uzodimma explained.

However, he said retirees who manipulated their datatoo be paid more money as gratuity when they retired, contrary to what their true record shows, will have to be paid exactly what is due to them based on the accurate government records of time for their employment and when they retired.

“We have a system that will sort all that out. So, this observation is necessary to guard against unnecessary expectations from those who retired, for instance on Grade level 10 but went and collected document or letter indicating they retired on Grade level 15,” Governor Uzodimma noted.

He thanked the leadership of the Organised Labour in Imo State for their understanding of the plight of the government as regards sincerity of purpose on issues of the workers and their welfare and promised not to disappoint their expectations.

Uzodimma wished his Chief of Staff well and thanked the people of Imo state for their support at the birthday lunch in honour of Anyaehie.

Earlier, Anyaehie who described Governor Uzodimma as his father and mentor, said, “In his 61- years, this was the first time he was ‘cutting a birthday cake in public.”

Dignitaries at the occasion included the wife of the Governor, Barr. (Mrs) Chioma Uzodimma, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, members of the Imo State House of Assembly, members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional rulers, HRH Eze EC Okeke, among others.