Governor Dauda Lawal Settles N4.3 Billion Gratuity Arrears Dating Back to 2011
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has made significant strides in settling longstanding debts owed to retired workers by disbursing over four billion Naira in gratuities, which have accumulated since 2011.
The announcement came through a statement issued by Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor, highlighting the state government’s commitment to addressing the welfare needs of retired state and local government workers.
According to the statement, gratuity payments commenced in February following the authentication and validation of retired workers’ data. Governor Lawal’s administration embarked on this initiative as part of efforts to streamline the civil service in Zamfara State.
The validation process revealed that a total of N13.4 billion was owed to retired workers by both the state and local governments. Subsequently, the government began disbursing the outstanding gratuities in batches.
“In the first, second, and third tranches of payment, 1,088 verified state pensioners received their full gratuity entitlements, totaling N1,836,836,018.95,” the statement read.
The fourth batch, comprising 284 verified state pensioners, received their gratuity arrears amounting to N499,435,942.42, bringing the total state pension payment to N2,336,271,961.37.
Additionally, a total of 1,744 retired Local Government and Primary School Teachers, who retired between 2011 and 2018, were paid N2,000,815,530.69 in four installments.
The ongoing gratuity disbursement is a significant milestone that is expected to provide much-needed relief to the beneficiaries who have awaited their benefits for years.
Governor Lawal’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its promises to the people of Zamfara State, demonstrating proactive measures to enhance the welfare of retired workers and ensure financial stability in the state.
The successful settlement of the gratuity arrears reflects Governor Lawal’s dedication to prioritizing the well-being of Zamfara’s citizens, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
