Kano State government says it has expended the sum of over N63 billion as monthly pension to civil servants that retired from the state civil service from 2015 to date, in the State.
The government has also paid the sum of N12.5 billion as retiring benefits covering retirement gratuity, death benefit, and pension arrears to about 7,550 beneficiaries.
Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje made the disclosure during the commissioning ceremony of the new Permanent Secretariat of Nigerian Union of Pensioners Kano State held on the sidelines of the on-going meeting of retirees drawn from the 19 Northern States, in Kano.
Ganduje presented by his Deputy, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said the present administration had never failed in the payment of monthly pension to the respected Senior Citizens of the State.
“Plans are underway to settle the backlog of unpaid retiring benefits to our retirees as the government had formed a Technical Committee on pension to tackle problems that bedeviled the operation of Kano State Pension Fund Trustees.
“I will like to use this occasion to appreciate the humility and understanding of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, for their patient regarding a delay in the payment of retiring benefits. I want to assure you that this development will soon be over “, he said.
The governor pointed out that the state government found it worthy to donate the magnificent building to ease the operation of the Union in the State, noting that the sum of N40 million was expanded for its completion and provision of furniture, working equipment, and other luxuries.
Commenting on the regular NUP forum meeting of the 19 Northern State, Governor Ganduje maintained that the choice of Kano as the venue was a clear attestation of harmonious relationship that exists between the Senior Citizens and Kano State Government.
In his remarks, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abel Afolayan had commended the effort of the Kano State Government in tackling the problems of Pensioners in the State, stressing that posterity would forever judge the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, positively in the area of payment of retirees.
Abel appealed to the Governor to take pensioners into confidence and appoint the qualified ones among them into his cabinet to enable them to bring their contributions.
In his speech, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Kabiru Ado Minjibir appreciated the outstanding effort of the Kano State Government for what he described as having workers and pensioners at heart.
” We are aware of all the efforts made by your administration since your first tenure in office to address this lingering issue which you inherited from the previous administration ranging from non-remittance of 17% and 18% Government and Workers contributions as provided by the 2006 Kano Pension gratuity law,” he stated.
Earlier, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Pensioners Kano State Branch, Salisu Ahmed Gwale also foresight of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for setting two committees to look into the problems of Pension and Gratuity in the State.
Others who spoke at the occasion were the State Chairman Kano State Pension Fund Trustees, Sani Dawaki Gabasawa, and the Chairman of the 19 Northern State and Abuja Forum of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abdullahi Tsoho Garba.
