The Imo State Government says it has approved the sum of N1.2 billion for immediate payment of pensions for the month of August 2016.
The Commissioner for Internally Generated Revenue and Pensions Matters, Ifeanyi Ararume, disclosed this in Owerri the Imo State capital while speaking to Channels Television.
He also said the state, Governor Rochas Okorocha, has also set up a committee to meet with the Labour Unions on how to offset pension arrears in the state.
The non-payment of pension and the arrears have been one of the major bone of contention between the Imo State government and Labour Unions in Imo State especially the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).
The NUP have always accused the Imo State Government of neglect and non-payment of pension arrears owed to pensioners.
Led by its Chairman, Mr Godwin Ezeji, the NUP had taken their agitations and request to the streets of Owerri with a massive protest against the government in order to press down their demands.
The payment, according to the government, will commence on Monday, September 19.
The commissioner also disclosed that the payment is at all levels from retired civil servants, public servants, retired pronto school teachers to permanent secretaries. (Channels TV)
•Photo shows Okorocha.
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