Retirees in Zamfara State, North-West Nigeria have reason to smile as the Governor Dauda Lawal-led administration has commenced the process of paying them their N13.6 billion gratuities and pension arrears.
Last year, Governor Lawal had during the Annual General Meeting of the Zamfara State Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries promised that his administration in 2024 would clear the backlog of gratuities and pension liabilities owed retirees.
The Governor has made good his promise with the start of the verification of retirees and direct payment of their gratuities and pension arrears from 2015 to December 2023 which amounts to N13.6 billion
Some of the retirees who were present at the venue of the verification, could not hide their excitement and expressed gratitude to God and Governor Dauda Lawal for the bold step taken to settle their arrears.
Some of them said, they retired from active service between 2018 to 2021 and it was not easy for them to cope, but the present administration’s commitment to settle their arrears has given them a sense of relief.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Abubakar and his counterpart in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Ahmad said they have verified and paid over 400 retirees and the process is ongoing as Governor Lawal had released the huge sum of money for the exercise.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
