Sokoto pledges to pay off N14bn pension arrears

Governor Ahmed Aliyu has promised to pay off N14 billion in outstanding gratuities to Sokoto State pensioners.

Therefore, The governor, directed the release of N500m every month for the payment of gratuities in the state.

He gave the directive on Wednesday, shortly after the presentation of a report on the verification of unpaid gratuities between 2015 and 2023.

The report, which was presented to the governor in his office by the state Accountant-General, Alhaji Umar, said the state had N14 billion in accumulated gratuities, affirming that no payment was made since 2015.

The report added that about 5,000 retired workers were awaiting gratuities out of which over 900 had died.

The immediate-past governor, now a senator, Aminu Tambuwal, in one of his remarks before handing over power, said his administration had settled the gratuities of retired civil servants of the two administrations preceding his.

According to him, “on assumption of office in 2015, I directed the payment of gratuity arrears of government/primary school teachers from 2000 to 2008, followed by the settlement of another eight-year backlog of gratuity from 2009 to 2017.”

Upon receiving the report, Governor Aliyu pledged that his administration would prioritize the release of N4 billion for the payment of gratuities before the year’s end.

“The sum of N500m would be released every month, beginning from May 29. This is to put a smile on the faces of our retired civil servants and their families.

“So the claim of the immediate-past governor (Tambuwal) is, however, found to be untrue and misleading because up till now, there was no a single record available showing that our retirees were paid between 2015 and 2023.

“As I receive this report, I hereby direct the release of the sum of N4bn for this year to offset the backlog of accumulated gratuities,” he said.

He urged the recipients to utilize the funds wisely, in a way that would bring lasting benefits to their families.