Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State, on Thursday, inaugurated the payment of N6 billion gratuity and death benefits to 3,313 pensioners in the state.

The official inauguration ceremony of the 4th tranche payment to some categories of retirees from 2020 to 2023 was held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

The governor presented a dummy cheque of N4.5 billion to the chairman of the pension board, Habu Fagge, for the benefits of the senior citizens.

Mr Yusuf reiterated the commitment of his government to resolving the years of hardship faced by the retirees and their families as well enhancing the welfare of civil servants in the state.

He said the payment covered different batches of beneficiaries, including the backlog accumulated over the years, which had subjected many retirees and their families to untold hardship.

Mr Yusuf recalled that his administration had earlier released N6 billion to the first batch of 4,915 beneficiaries and another N5 billion to the second batch of 1,722 retirees.

The governor further revealed that an additional 1,579 beneficiaries received payments amounting to N5 billion on Jan.9,

“Today, this government is releasing the sum of N6 billion for the payment of death benefits and gratuities to retirees within the range of N2.5 million and below from the year 2020 to 2023,” he said.

Mr Yusuf said with the latest release, the total amount paid so far stood at N22 billion, adding that another N5 billion had already been set aside for the next batch for further payments of retirees by August.

“We shall settle all outstanding pension benefits to the tune of over N48 billion to alleviate the sufferings of our senior citizens,” he said.

The governor commended the management and staff of the pension board, as well as the EFCC and ICPC, for their doggedness, investigation and reportage on the issue of the 324 houses built during the previous administration as part of pension investments.

He, however, warned that the government would not condone any form of underhand dealings, stressing that anyone found wanting, making dubious arrangements or favouritism would be dealt with accordingly.

Mr Yusuf urged the pensioners to remain patient, assuring them that all their entitlements would be cleared.

The executive chairman, Kano State Pension Trustee Fund, Habu Fagge, said the board earlier had a backlog of N48 billion from previous administration, out of which the present administration has payed the total sum of N22 billion.

Also speaking, the national president, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Godwin Abumisi, commended the governor for his giant and remarkable strides in paying retirees their gratuity and death benefits.

Mr Abumisi named Mr Yusuf a ‘star performance governor’.

The Emir of Gaya, Aliyu Ibrahim, who spoke on behalf of the emirs of Kano, Rano, and Karaye, commended the giant strides of the governor, especially toward retirees as well as Kano residents.

Amina Muhammad, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, applauded the kind gesture of the governor, saying it would go a long way in alleviating their sufferings.

(NAN)