Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has ordered the release of N3.8 billion to the State Pension Bureau for immediate payment of gratuities, death benefits and accrued rights in the Contributory Pension Scheme.
A statement issued by the governor’s chief press secretary, Ibraheem Musa said the order was given by the governor on compassionate grounds, after considering the passionate pleas of the pensioners and families of deceased civil servants, who complained that the ongoing verification exercise has impacted negatively on their living conditions.
The statement explained that Governor Sani, while restating the fact that the verification exercise is aimed at weeding out “ghost” pensioners from the payroll in order to curtail the frittering away of the state’s meagre resources, however ordered the Pension Bureau to immediately commence the payment of pensioners.
The governor assured pensioners of his unwavering commitment to their welfare.
He said that it is in furtherance of this commitment that he is determined to clean up the payroll to ensure seamless and uninterrupted payment of monthly pensions.
Sani noted that the senior citizens devoted their lives to the service of Kaduna State and must be given all the needed support to make them happy in retirement.
The governor further assured speedy completion of the verification exercise so that Kaduna State pensioners would enjoy uninterrupted payment.
The statement added that since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Sani has paid gratuities, death benefits and accrued rights to the tune of N6.6 billion.
