Yobe Govt Settles N6bn Pension, Gratuity Claims Of 4,271 LG Retirees

The Yobe State Government has paid over N6 billion in pension and gratuity to 4,271 local government retirees and beneficiaries, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and the settlement of outstanding obligations.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Mohammed Goje, disclosed this when he received members of the Committee on Local Government Staff Pension and Gratuity Payment, who briefed him on their activities since the committee’s reconstitution in July 2022 by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

A statement from the Focal Person Digital and Strategic Communications, Alhaji Yusuf Ali said the committee was reconstituted with a mandate to verify local government retirees and next-of-kin of deceased employees to facilitate the processing and payment of their legitimate pension and gratuity entitlements.

According to the committee, the verification, screening and processing exercise has resulted in the payment of over N6 billion to 4,271 beneficiaries, comprising living retirees and families of deceased local government workers.

Dr Goje commended Governor Buni for prioritising the welfare of retirees and families of deceased employees, describing the intervention as a fulfilment of the government’s obligations to those who dedicated their productive years to public service.

He also praised members of the committee for their diligence and commitment to ensuring that the exercise complied with due process.

The SSG urged the committee to sustain its transparency and diligence, while ensuring that all genuine beneficiaries were identified and processed for payment.

He assured the committee of the state government’s continued commitment to addressing outstanding pension and gratuity obligations within available resources and established procedures.

The committee explained that the verification process was guided by transparency, fairness and due diligence to ensure that only genuine retirees and legitimate next-of-kin received their entitlements.

It added that beneficiaries underwent necessary screening to protect the integrity of the exercise and prevent fraudulent claims.

The committee comprises representatives of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Local Government Audit Department, Local Government Service Commission, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Local Government Staff Pension Board.