Niger State Government has commenced issuance of cheques for payments of gratuities to 335 first batch of retirees in the state.
The State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, stated this at the official flag-off of payment of gratuities to the retired civil servants on Thursday in Minna, adding that pensioners who retired from 2003 would benefit from the first batch.
He stated further 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 several years ago.
Garba said pensioners who retired under the local government would be issued their own cheques from Friday, July 26, 2024, stressing that the payment would be done in batches.
He, however, commended the pensioners for being patient for years and during the screening exercise, just as he appealed to them to support the government for a seamless payment process.
“This is a new era for our pensioners who retired about 21 years ago and could not get their gratuities, I want to appeal to you to forget what you have passed through in the past.
“I want to advise you not to allow anyone to push you against the government, don’t listen to rumours because the government is a continuous process.
“Only listen to people who are sincere, factual and realistic but those who are involved in eye service because the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago-led administration will continue to prioritise the plights of Pensioners,” Garba said.
In his separate remarks, the Director General, Niger State Pensions Board, Alhaji Nasir Saidu Namaska, appreciated Governor Umaru Bago for his visionary leadership in introducing the Niger State Pensions Administration System (NSPAS).
“This shows the dedication of the governor in ensuring that the welfare of our retirees is given the utmost priority,” he stated.
The DG, State Pensions Board thereby gave an assurance that the payment process will be conducted with the highest standards of transparency, integrity and efficiency.
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