Government releases N1b as part-payment of pension arrears

ben adhoc

February 17, 2016 2:13 PM

In an interview, Chairman of Retirees Welfare Association, Alhaji Ahmed Bunza, commended the state government for approving the payment to the retired workers.

Alhaji Muhammadu Kwaido, Chairman, Kebbi State Committee on the payment of pension to workers, says 3,000 pensioners will benefit from the N1 billion released in the ongoing part-payment of arrears.

Kwaido told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday that the payment would cushioning the hardship faced by pensioners.

He added that "the payment includes arrears of pension and gratuity for three years’’.

The chairman said additional fund was required to complete the payment as the beneficiaries were receiving only one sixth of their actual benefits.

Kwaido said the committee was divided into three for state, local education and local government beneficiaries.

He said that the committee on the payment of retired teachers and local government pensioners had completed payments in Argungu, Augie, Bagudo Arewa, Bunza and Jega council areas.

Bunza also called for the release of additional N5 billion to settle benefits of pension and gratuity due for retired civil servants.

ben adhoc