Ogun State: Ex-Councillors 2021-2024 Severance Payment Assured

• The Ogun State Government has assured former councillors who served from 2021 to 2024 that their outstanding severance entitlements will be paid.
• Governor Dapo Abiodun directed the payment, and the process is currently in motion, according to Commissioner Ganiyu Hamzat.
• The payment process includes reconciling severance funds with existing bank loans owed by some ex-councillors.
• The assurance follows an appeal from the Ogun State Councillors Forum, 2021–2024, highlighting members' financial difficulties, including medical challenges and the loss of 25 members.
• This initiative sets a precedent for how public sector severance payments and third-party claims are managed in Nigeria.

Lawyers advising ex-councillors or local government entities should closely monitor this payment process, especially regarding how these third-party claims are managed, as it could influence future practices across the public sector.

The Ogun State Government has officially committed to settling outstanding severance entitlements for former councillors who served across its twenty Local Government Areas between 2021 and 2024. This assurance comes amidst appeals from the affected officials, highlighting the state's obligation to its former public servants. The commitment was publicly stated by Ganiyu Hamzat, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, during a telephone interview conducted on Thursday.

Commissioner Hamzat confirmed that Governor Dapo Abiodun has personally directed the payment of these funds, indicating that the necessary processes are currently in motion. This development signals a significant step towards fulfilling financial obligations to those who served in local government capacities within the state. The administration's move aims to address the financial challenges faced by these former officials, ensuring their due entitlements are disbursed.

The process for disbursing the Ogun State ex-councillors 2021-2024 severance payment is actively underway, according to Commissioner Hamzat. He elaborated that the government is diligently working to finalize the arrangements, following Governor Abiodun's directive to calculate the cost implications, which has now been completed. However, a key aspect of this process involves reconciling the severance payments with existing bank loans taken by some of the former councillors.

This reconciliation is crucial to prevent future complications where financial institutions might seek repayment directly from the local councils or the state government. The state's approach prioritizes settling these outstanding debts with banks before the remaining severance is released to the individuals. This meticulous handling underscores the government's commitment to a transparent and orderly disbursement, ensuring that all financial liabilities are appropriately managed.

The government's assurance follows a public appeal made by the former council officials themselves, under the umbrella of the Ogun State Councillors Forum, 2021–2024. During a press conference held in Ijebu-Ode on the same Thursday, the forum urged Governor Abiodun to approve the payment of their outstanding severance and benefits, which also extends to other former local government political officials. They emphasized that these payments would offer much-needed financial relief to individuals grappling with economic hardship after leaving public office.

Abass Mohammed, who previously served as the Leader of the Legislative Council of Ijebu North Local Government and spoke on behalf of the forum, detailed the severe challenges faced by many members. He revealed that some ex-councillors are struggling to meet fundamental family and medical obligations. The forum also tragically reported the loss of approximately 25 of its members, while at least two former secretaries to local governments are currently battling serious medical conditions, highlighting the urgent need for these entitlements.

This commitment by the Ogun State Government to process the Ogun local government entitlements sets a significant precedent for the handling of public servant severance in Nigeria. The careful reconciliation of severance with outstanding bank loans, as outlined by Commissioner Hamzat, is particularly noteworthy. Lawyers advising ex-councillors or local government entities should closely monitor this payment process, especially regarding how these third-party claims are managed, as it could influence future practices across the public sector.

The Dapo Abiodun ex-councillor payment initiative demonstrates a commitment to fulfilling financial obligations, which is vital for maintaining trust and stability within the public service. The detailed approach to addressing financial complexities, such as pre-existing loans, provides a framework for ensuring that entitlements are disbursed responsibly and efficiently. This development not only addresses the immediate needs of the former officials but also reinforces the importance of timely and structured severance payments for all public servants.

This development signals the Ogun State Government's commitment to fulfilling financial obligations to former local government officials. Lawyers advising ex-councillors or local government entities should monitor the payment process, especially regarding the reconciliation of severance with outstanding bank loans, as this sets a precedent for handling public sector entitlements and potential third-party claims.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH