Governor of Sokoto State Ahmed Aliyu has directed the monthly release of the sum of N500 million for the payment of gratuities in the state.
The directive came shortly after the presentation of a report on Wednesday on the verification of unpaid gratuities between 2015 and 2023.
According to the report, the state has N14 billion in accumulated gratuities and no payment has been made since 2015.
The report added that about 5000 retired workers await gratuities out of which over 900 were deceased.
Receiving the report, Aliyu noted that the sum of N4 billion would be released for the payment of gratuities before the end of the year.
He said the sum of N500 million would be released every month beginning from May 29.
“This is to put smile on the faces of our retired civil servants and their families.
“The claim of the immediate past governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal is however found to be untruth and misleading.
“Because up till now there was not a single record available showing that our retirees were paid between 2015 and 2023.
“As I received this report, I hereby direct the release of the sum of N4 billion for this year to offset the backlog of accumulated gratuities.
“The sum of N500 million will be paid monthly beginning from this month. I want to appeal to the beneficiaries to utilize the money in a manner that will be beneficial to their respective families,” he pleaded.
