Zulum Releases N5.81bn To Clear Backlog Of Gratuities

Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has presented cheques worth N5.81 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities to retired civil servants and the families of deceased workers.

The governor presented the cheques yesterday at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Maiduguri, with leadership of the organised labour and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners in attendance as part of efforts to improve the welfare of retired workers and the families of deceased civil servants.

Some of his administration’s commitment to the settlement of workers’ entitlements, including the monthly release of N200 million for gratuity payment, the released N8 billion for pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities in 2025, N12 billion was also disbursed in 2020 for the payment of about 5,000 retired state and local government civil servants, among other interventions.

The governor explained that the first cheque, amounting to N2,992,301,964.95, would settle all outstanding gratuities owed to the families of deceased civil servants to date, while the second cheque of N2,822,528,306.99 would cover gratuities for pensioners up to December 2022, including outstanding payments to staff of the Borno State Housing Corporation from 2013 to date.

“We are presenting about N3 billion to the families of deceased civil servants so they can continue to live in peace and dignity. Apart from this, civil servants who retired in 2022 will now receive their gratuities in full, after which we shall move to those who retired in 2023,” he stated.

Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Lawan Umar Dalorima, commended Governor Zulum for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees.

Dalorima said the payment reflects the administration’s determination to honour those who devoted their productive years to the service of Borno State.

Responding on behalf of organised labour, the vice chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mamman Bukar, expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum for settling the outstanding gratuities, describing the gesture as timely and impactful.

Zulum also assured local government employees of his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges affecting their welfare, promising that the state government will soon engage with their representatives to find lasting solutions.

The governor explained that one of the major constraints facing the local government system is the large workforce on its payroll, which has limited the government’s ability to introduce far-reaching welfare reforms.

He appealed to local government workers to remain calm and exercise patience, assuring them that government would soon convene a meeting with their union leadership to deliberate on practical measures of improving their welfare.

The ceremony was attended by the lawmakers and other senior government officials.