LG Pension: Taraba Govt begins disbursement of N500m gratuities
By Lynn Adda
Taraba State government has commencement of the disbursement of N500 million first batch payment of outstanding gratuities to the civil servants who retired from the Local Government Service.
Investigation revealed that the last time gratuities were paid to retired civil servants in the state was in 2009 and a number of 1166 persons will benefit from the first batch.
The symbolic presentation of cheques to some of the beneficiaries took place at the Conference hall of the Bureau for Local Government, Traditions and Chieftaincy Affairs in Jalingo, the state capital.
Speaking at the flag of the disbursement, the Taraba State Commissioner for Finance who is the Chairperson of the committee in charge of the disbursement, Dr Sarah Adi, said the gesture was aimed at promoting the welfare of retirees in the state.
Represented by the overseer of the Bureau, Benjamin Baissa, the Commissioner said the Governor Agbu Kefas is determined to pay the backlog of gratuities owed by the government. “Agbu Kefas has, once again, shown to all Tarabans and indeed the whole world, that he is a man of his words by setting up this Committee and graciously releasing the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira (N500,000,000.00) only for the payment to the beneficiaries covering 2010, 2011 and part of 2012″.
He said. added that N100 million Naira will be released monthly for subsequent payments.
He therefore appealed to those who were not included in the first batch to remain hopeful as the administration will continue its efforts to maximize the happiness and welfare of the greatest number of people.
While expressing his gratitude to the Governor, the Taraba State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mamuda Yaro, stressed that the payment was a significant relief for the retirees, as it had been long awaited.
He assured the Governor of the retirees’ support in the 2027 election.
George Danladi, one of the affected pensioners and retired teacher, thanked the Governor for his compassion and interest in the welfare of pensioners in the state.
