Writing By Usman M; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
The Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Board has begun disbursing over 3.4 billion Naira to 1,331 individuals who either retired after completing 35 years of service between January and July this year or passed away while still in active service
The Director Administration and Finance of the Scheme, Alhaji Nasiru Haruna who is equally acting as the Executive Secretary of the Scheme disclosed this in Dutse.
He explained that the payments were divided into four categories, with the first batch of 1,001 retirees, who either reached the mandatory retirement age of 35 years of service or 60 years of age, receiving over 2.5 billion Naira.
According to him, the second category consists of 241 staff members who died while in active service, with their relatives to receive a total of over 730 million Naira.
Alhaji Nasiru Haruna further explained that the third batch consists of 84 retirees who began receiving monthly pensions but died before completing the minimum five-year period after retirement, noting that these individuals would receive over 109 million Naira.
He pointed out that the last batch includes beneficiaries who did not contribute for the full five-year period, which According to the law, to qualify for payment from the scheme, staff must contribute for a minimum of five years.
The Acting Executive Secretary said, under this category, the board had paid one person, the sum of over 2.7 million naira including 15% interest.
He said “Today we are going to pay the sum of N3,422,239,826.32 to 1,331 workers that retired/died from various State MDAs, LGCs and LGEAs”.
“The payment included retirement benefit, death benefit, death pension balance and refund of eight percent contribution”.
The Acting Executive Secretary warned the retirees to desist from involving a third party in processing their retirement benefits.
“The Pension Board did not, in whatever way, ask a third party to facilitate and or receive any amount from retiree before their payments are done, our services are free; never bribe any of our staff for your terminal benefits, as we worked under guidelines establishing our Board in line with consonant of Pension regulations.”
“If any person ask for money within and outside the pension house to process your payment, is a fraud and should be reported to the Board for a necessary penalty,” Haruna told the retirees.
He said, the pension Board process payment of retirees immediately after the Directorate of Salary and Pension Administration forwards the particulars of the retiring workers to the pension Board.
Haruna commended, Governor Umar Namadi for releasing the sum of over 3.4 Billion naira to Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board to settled outstanding Gratuities and death benefit to 1,331 retirees in the State.
“It is worth noting that in January this year, Governor Malam Umar. A Namadi has released Two Billion Naira as bailout to the State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme to settled outstanding gratuity.
He disclosed that, since the coming on board of the present administration, the Governor has prioritized the welfare of Pensioners and workers in the State and that is why he inaugurated a committee of experts to review/appraise the State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme.
The Acting Executive Secretary acknowledged the Governor’s efforts in addressing the challenges of the Jigawa State Contributory Pension Scheme since his assumption of office in May 2023.
He said with the recent approval, the State Government had now released over 5.4 billion naira to the Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board as bailout and the Scheme has cleared all the outstanding payment of gratuities.
Alhaji Nasiru Haruna called on citizens of the State to continue to support the present administration with prayers in order to achieve a better Jigawa where everyone will be comfortable in the shared prosperity agenda of Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Umar Namadi for his care and magnanimity to Pensioners in the State, adding that the prompt payment of Pension and gratuity has helped to enliven the heart of Pensioners and prayed that God would continue to fortify him to do more.
He stated that the gesture would enhance service delivery as well as bolster the well-being of the retirees to enjoy a fulfilled life after service.
“The State Government and the Board will continue to ensure the welfare of its workers for better service delivery and well-being of retirees after service”
Some of the beneficiaries, commended the scheme for the smooth screening exercise and thanked the Governor for prioritizing issues concerning Pensioners welfare.
Hajiya Rabi Abdu who retired from the General Hospital Kazaure commended Governor Umar Namadi for timely payment of their gratuity.
One of the retiree from Ministry of Higher Education,science and technology Ado Garba said he retired in January 2024, as messenger.
“Now that I received my gratuity and pension arrears from February, I will invest more in farming to make life better for myself and my family”
Another retiree, Uwani Bako said she received her gratuity and pension arrears, adding that she will invest in Agriculture.
Cov/USMAN MZ
