Taraba Governor approves 1bn for payment of gratuity

By Matthew Denis

The Governor of Taraba state, Dr Agbu Kefas has approved the sum of N1billion for the payment of backlog of gratuity for pensioners.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications to the Governor, Emmanuel Bello, and made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Thursday.

The the last time any payment was made to the senior citizens was in 2011.

While signing the approval Governor Kefas directed the ministry of Finance to ensure immediate payment of the overdue entitlements.

He regretted the delay and said his government would not abandon workers who had served their fatherland diligently.

Apart from the initial N1billion, the governor also approved that a sum of N200million be set aside each month to offset the backlog and continue the payments.

It would be recalled that Dr Agbu Kefas, during the campaign, promised to offset pensions and gratuity in spite of the huge backlog.

The governor noted that it is unrighteous to deny workers who have slaved over the years their entitlements. He noted that his government will continue to service and make prompt payments of salaries, pensions, and gratuities.

Assuring pensioners of Governor Kefas goodwill, the Permanent Secretary, Pensions, Mrs Rose Garba Ajiya, said the gesture will effectively end many years of anguish and frustration of aged pensioners.

She stressed that her team is well prepared to begin payments as all records are available and accurately kept.