The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has announced that his administration has successfully cleared seven years of accumulated gratuity and pension arrears inherited from his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano.

This announcement was made during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Soludo reiterated his government’s commitment to workers’ welfare despite the prevailing economic challenges.

“With regard to the gratuities owed to our retired workforce, we have settled all arrears inherited upon assuming office.

“I am pleased to report that, barring cases where retirees have yet to complete documentation, we have successfully cleared four years’ backlog of pension arrears.

“In the civil service, retirees were owed four years of pensions totalling N14 billion. I am happy to announce that we have paid for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Only the year 2021 remains, and we are making arrangements to ensure it is paid shortly,” Soludo said.

The governor emphasised his administration’s commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and improved working conditions for public servants.

“Within the limits of our available resources, we remain determined to enhance the welfare and working environment of our workforce. This is not just a policy choice—it is a moral obligation,” he declared.

Earlier in the celebration, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, commended the Soludo administration for the progress made thus far.

However, he also urged the state government to expedite the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, a key recommendation by the Joint Committee on Pension Reform.

He noted that this would provide long-term financial security for retirees and ensure a more sustainable pension system.

Nwafor also appealed for the payment of outstanding allowances owed to non-teaching staff under the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, and those in post-primary institutions.

These staff members, he said, have yet to receive the approved 17.5 per cent peculiarity allowance and deserve treatment comparable to the 27.5 per cent allowance granted to teachers.

In addition, the NLC chairman called for the immediate and full implementation of the Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure, CONJUSS, and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS.

He also stressed the need for increased training opportunities, improved welfare packages, and enhanced security for workers across all sectors.