Gombe State governor Inuwa Yahaya has approved the disbursement of N1.3 billion for the payment of backlog of gratuities owed retired local government employees.
The governor has also approved the promotion of 26, 085 local government workers across the 11 local government areas of the state with immediate effect.
Of the number of the promoted members of staff, 6,738 are local government workers, 16,739 are Local Education Authority, LEA teachers, while 2,608 are workers at the Primary Health Care Centres. The last time teachers were promoted in the state was in 2009 while promotions with financial benefits were last implemented in 2014.
The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Hon Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo, disclosed the development during a press conference in his office.
According to him, pensions, gratuities, salary increment and other entitlements will follow the promotions where Balanga, Gombe, Kaltungo and Yamaltu/Deba local government councils will pay backlog of gratuities for 2012; Akko, Billiri, Dukku and Shongom will pay for 2012 to 2013; Funakaye will pay for 2012 to 2014 while Nafada will pay for 2012 to 2015.
Dasuki also maintained that all the local government councils in Gombe State have positive balances in their accounts which makes it possible for them to pay salaries, pensions, gratuities and other entitlements as at when due as against the ugly trend before the coming of the present administration.
The commissioner explained that the leadership trajectory of Governor Inuwa Yahaya is such that each local government has become financially independent such that it does not have to depend on other LGAs for financial bailout.
He commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the approval, especially at a time when the national economic indicators are not looking good.
The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Gombe State chapter, Comrade Bappayo Abdulmumini on behalf of the local government workers appreciated Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the gesture.
