Bauchi begins payment of N10bn outstanding gratuities to retirees
Bauchi State Begins Payment of Outstanding Gratuities to Retired Civil Servants
The Bauchi State Government has initiated the payment of outstanding gratuities to retired civil servants who exited service between 2012 and 2016. Governor Bala Mohammed made the announcement on Wednesday during a presentation ceremony, which was attended by his deputy, Auwal Jatau.
The state has allocated N10 billion to address the accumulated gratuity liabilities owed to retirees. Official records indicate that the total outstanding amount for the specified period is N11.71 billion, encompassing both state and local government retirees.
Governor Mohammed noted that 3,570 state retirees are owed approximately N6.13 billion, while 2,262 local government retirees have outstanding gratuities totaling N5.58 billion.
Payments will be conducted in phases, starting with an initial group of beneficiaries, followed by subsequent disbursements until all verified beneficiaries receive their entitlements. The payment schedule will consider the age of the debts, availability of supporting documents, and verification of records.
“No eligible pensioner should interpret this first phase as an exclusion,” Mohammed stated, emphasizing that the government aims to process payments systematically and transparently. He acknowledged the long wait some retirees have endured, stating that it has been a significant challenge for his administration.
“Today, we say to you, your wait is finally coming to an end,” Mohammed said. He highlighted the essential nature of timely payments for retirees’ dignity and well-being, expressing regret that some have not received their benefits before passing away.
The governor instructed officials involved in the process to ensure that disbursements are executed transparently and promptly, urging a focus on fairness and emphasizing that elderly beneficiaries should be prioritized.
He also encouraged retirees to submit the necessary documents and cooperate during the verification exercise, advising them to use the funds effectively to meet their own needs and those of their families.
Additionally, Abubakar Sulaiman, Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, confirmed that the legislature had unanimously approved the release of funds for the payment of the outstanding gratuities.
