1,166 Retirees to benefit from N500m gratuities in Taraba
OKERAFOR ATHANATIUS, JALINGO.
One thousand, one hundred and sixty six (1,166) retired local government pensioners from Taraba State Northeast Nigeria will benefit from the State Government’s N500m gratuities in the State.
The disbursement ceremony was flagged-off at the Conference hall of the Bureau for Local Government, Traditions and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jalingo the state capital.
In a remark, the disbursement Committee chairperson in the State, Mrs. Sarah Adi, said the gesture was aimed at promoting the welfare of retirees in the state.
Mrs Adi, who was represented by the overseer of the Bureau, Benjamin Baissa, said governor Agbu Kefas is determined to pay the backlog of gratuities owed by the previous administration.
She further disclosed that Agbu Kefas has proved to all Tarabans and indeed the whole world, that he is a man of his words.
According to her, he set up the Committee and also released about N500m for the payment of the beneficiaries to cover their 2010, 2011 and part of 2012 outstanding gratuities.
She also revealed that about N100 million Naira would be released monthly for subsequent payments.
Retirees who were not captured in the first batch of the disbursement were pleaded to be patient and remain hopeful that Dr. Kefas’ administration is determined to wipe away their tears with a view to attending to all their pressing needs.
Gov Agbu Kefas of Taraba State
Appreciating the gesture of the State Governor, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), comrade Mamuda Yaro said payment of backlog of gratuities to the retired civil servants of the State was a significant relief to the beneficiaries saying, it has been long awaited.
Yaro, who was full of joy and excitement, pledged that the Retirees’ support Dr Agbu Kefas in the 2027 governorship election.
Information gathered by our Correspondent revealed that the disbursement of the gratuities would be on batches as the N500 million is the first batch for the the exercise and to be benefited by the 1,166 retirees.
