1 week ago
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By Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto
Pensioners across Sokoto are expressing their enthusiasm over recent developments in their welfare as the present administration continues to pay the backlog of pensions from 2013–2015, inherited from the previous administration.
In an interview with thesun.ng, Ma’inna Umar Altine, a retired director from the Female Education Board who served for thirty-five years, expressed her happiness that the present administration is committed to their welfare.
According to her, it is a moment of celebration to receive her gratuity while still alive.
“I have seen names of people on the list who are already dead; some are on contract. But for me to be alive to witness such a day, it is something that I should commend the present administration on.”
It could be recalled that Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, after receiving numerous complaints from state pensioners, set up a committee to verify claims of unpaid gratuities dating back to 2015.
The committee, under the chairmanship of the Accountant General of the state, reported that the state had a huge backlog of accumulated unpaid gratuities inherited from the previous administration.
According to the report, about 5,000 retired workers await gratuities, out of which over 900 are deceased.
Receiving the report, the governor dedicated the sum of ₦14 billion for the payment of the backlog, with ₦500 million released every month, beginning from 29 May 2024.
“As I received this report, I thereby directed the release of the sum of fourteen billion naira to offset the backlog of accumulated gratuities.”
Amina Musa Mahuta, a newly retired worker from the Ministry of Education, said the government had taken a giant step in ensuring that new retirees receive their entitlements on time.
“I retired in May 2024, barely nine months ago, and since then, my pension has been flowing in regularly. I started receiving my pension in July.”
To ensure new retirees are not left behind, Governor Ahmed Aliyu directed the release of ₦300 million monthly for the payment of gratuities to civil servants who retired in 2024.
According to the Accountant General of the state, Alhaji Umar Balarabe Ahmad, those to benefit from the gesture are civil servants who retired from the public service from January 2024 to date.
Ahmad, who is also the chairman of the Sokoto State Gratuity Payment Committee, said the gesture is part of the governor’s commitment to providing succour to retirees and their families at this trying time.
He noted that the ongoing payment of backlog gratuities inherited by the present administration had reached an advanced stage of completion, as they had so far attended to 2,528 pensioners.
The Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Finance, Sirajo Gada, noted that the government releases ₦800 million monthly for pension and gratuity payments.
“Five hundred million naira is for the settlement of the backlog, while three hundred million naira is for the payment of retirees from 2014.”
Another worker in the state, Ese Atavwoda Erhiano, who worked for twenty years with the Teachers’ Service Board as a contract staff, said that for the past twelve years, she had not been paid her gratuity until now, as the present administration is addressing the issue.
Erhiano said there was no promotion for contract staff during the past administration.
“I have been on level 10 for years, collecting the same salary, but recently, there was an increment of ₦45,000 in my salary, which is a reasonable amount.”
“The present administration has tried. Looking at the fact that it is paying what the past administration would not pay, to me, the government deserves commendation.”
Usman Abdullahi, a public analyst in Sokoto, said the government’s efforts to clear the backlog of unpaid gratuities to pensioners is a commendable step towards improving the welfare of retired civil servants.
According to him, dedicating ₦14 billion to offset the accumulated unpaid gratuities demonstrates a commitment to providing relief to retirees and their families.
“The government’s initiatives to address the welfare of pensioners are a step in the right direction, and it is essential to build on this momentum to ensure that all retired workers receive the support they deserve.”
He said the fact that over 2,500 pensioners had already benefited from this initiative was a significant achievement. He added that the monthly release of ₦800 million for pensioners and gratuity payments is a substantial investment in the well-being of retired workers.
Abdullahi, however, stated that there is still a significant backlog of unpaid gratuities, with over 5,000 retired workers awaiting payment. Therefore, sustained efforts are needed to ensure that all eligible pensioners receive their entitlements in a timely manner.
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