As a measure to resolve the backlog of unpaid pensions in the state, the Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has inaugurated the State-Local Government Joint Accounts Committee.
According to the governor, the state is heavily indebted to pensioners to the tune of over N14 billion in arrears for gratuities and pensions adding that his administration has commenced the payment of the backlog.
The inauguration was done shortly after the State Executive Council Meeting at the Government House, Awka, the Press Secretary to governor Soludo, Christian Aburime, disclosed.
The committee is chaired by the state Commissioner for Local Government, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, with state Commissioner for Finance, Ifeatu Onejeme; and Dr Arinze Nwankwo-Ikwueto, as Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively.
Governor Soludo while appreciating the Committee for accepting the appointment, charged them that their job was not going to be an easy one as it came at a time when the resources of the state were lean and there was not much to work with.
He said, “Resources are not there, you are being called upon to do this work at a time when there are challenges in the finances of the country, the state and local government and you have been called upon to find the solution,” he said.
Similarly, Soludo reiterated the commitment of his administration to set up a local government administration that would address the challenges in that layer of government.
Furthermore, he added that the infrastructure in the various local government areas, including those burnt down by arsonists, needed to be repaired to enable council staff to go to offices and perform optimally.
“For us, we have the vision to have responsibility devolved to base and to have a local government that is empowered to deliver development to the grassroots.
“Consequently, the finances that are very limited will have to be run in a different way; we have a peculiar local government system where the staff and other obligations of the local government are pulled together,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Nwabunwanne noted that his team was competent and ready to deliver on their mandate and thanked the governor for finding them worthy to carry out the job.
Also part of the committee are: Mr. featu Obiokoye, representing Central Senatorial district, Dr Nnamdi Nwadiogbu for North Senatorial district and Mr George Ezeogudi for South Senatorial district.
To represent the chairman of the Transition Committee are Dr Chibuike Ofobuike, South; Mrs Amaka Obi, Central; and Mr Livinus Onyenwe, North.