To cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, Borno Governor, Babagana Zulum has presented a cheque of two billion Naira to the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, in Borno State, for the disbursement of interest-free loans to eligible workers, with a repayment period of 24 months.
The presentation took place after a meeting between the governor and officials of the NLC, led by the labour chairman in Borno State, Comrade Yusuf Inuwa.
Zulum asked the NLC to complete talks with the state’s Ministry Of Finance to determine the category of workers, to be entitled to the loans, as well as the loan recovery, through monthly deductions of not more than one-third of their salaries.
Also Read: Borno Gov Zulum gives NLC N2 billion for workers’ loans, announces other welfare benefits
The governor also announced a 100% increase in monthly releases, for payment of the backlog of gratuities.
“The payment is being increased from N100 million monthly, which equals N1.2 billion annually, to N200 million monthly, which will amount to N2.4 billion.”
For many years, retired workers in Borno State have been owed gratuities, for which Governor Zulum has released about 20 billion Naira, to drastically reduce the backlog.
Although many are owed, Governor Zulum
has since introduced a policy of, automatic migration of retired workers, from salaries to pensions.
Also, as part of the outcome of his meeting with the NLC, Governor Babagana Zulum announced the allocation of 30 buses, to be dedicated to conveying workers in the metropolis, at subsidised fares.
Still, as part of the outcome of the meeting, Governor Zulum has directed the state’s Ministry Of Finance, to clear backlogs of promotional benefits owed workers, whose names were omitted during earlier payments.
The NLC chairman thanked Governor Zulum for meeting their demands.
” We hope that we will continue to engage the government for more demands to be addressed, for the welfare of workers at the state and local government levels.”
It is hoped that the palliatives being provided to workers in Borno State, will go a long way to ameliorate the hardships in the society.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
