Niger State Govt. commences payment of gratuities to Retirees.
By Yahaya Zakka, Minna.
Niger State government has commenced issuing of cheques for payment of gratuities to 335 first batch of retirees in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Comrade, Yakubu Garba, said at the official flag off of payment of gratuity in Minna on Thursday, saying that pensioners who retired from 2003 would benefits from the first batch.
He disclosed that the state government has released N500 million for payment of gratuities to 335 pensioners under the first batch who retired from the state civil service.
Garba said pensioners who retired under the local government will be issued their own cheques from July 26, adding that the payment will be done in batches.
He commended the pensioners for being patient for years and during the screening exercise and appealed to them to support the government for a seamless payment process.
“This is a new era for our pensioners who retired twenty one years ago and could not get their gratuities, I want to appeal to you to forget what you have passed through.
“I want to advise you not to allow anyone push you against the government, don’t listen to rumour because government is a continuous process.
“Only listen to people who are sincere, factual and realistic not eye service people because the Gov. Bago-led administration will continue to prioritise the plight of pensioners,” he said.
In his address, Alhaji Nasiru Namaska, Director General of the state Pension Board, appreciated Gov. Umaru Bago for his visionary leadership in introducing the Niger State Pension Administration System (NSPAS).
“This shows the dedication of the governor in ensuring that the welfare of our retirees is given the utmost priority,” he said.
He gave assurance that the payment process would be conducted with the highest standards of integrity and efficiency.
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