Jigawa Govt settles 1,331 Retirees with over N3.4 billion

From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Board, says it has commenced payment of over N3.4billion to 1,331 who exited from active service on attainment of 35 years in service between January to July this year and those who died while in active service.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director Administration and Finance of the Scheme, Alhaji Nasiru Haruna who equally acting as the Executive Secretary of the Scheme.

The statement disclosed that, the payment was categorized into four categories, indicating that the first batch of 1001 retired staff consist of those who retired either by reaching the mandatory retirement age of 35 years in service or sixty years by birth were paid N2,579,605,965.12 Billion.

The second category of 241 staff are those who died while in active service, where their relations would be paid the sum of N730,367,087.60 million, while the third batch consist of 84 retirees who retired from service and started receiving monthly pension but died before reaching their minimum period of five years after retirement. Those people would be paid N109, 561, 313. 67 million.

The last batch was beneficiary who did not contribute up to a period of five years, and the law stated that for every staff to qualify to be paid from the scheme was for him to contribute for a minimum period of five years.

Under this category, we have paid one person, the sum of N2,705,459.02 million including 15% interest.

He said “Today we are going to pay the sum of N3,422,239,826.32 to 1,331 workers that retired/died from various State MDAs, LGCs and LGEAs”.

“The payment included retirement benefit, death benefit, death pension balance and refund of eight percent contribution”.

The acting Executive Secretary warned the retirees to desist from involving a third party in processing their retirement benefits.

“The Pension Board did not, in whatever way, ask a third party to facilitate and or receive any amount from retiree before their payments are done, our services are free; never bribe any of our staff for your terminal benefits, as we worked under guidelines establishing our Board in line with consonant of Pension regulations.”

“If any person ask for money within and outside the pension house to process your payment, is a fraud and should be reported to the Board for a necessary penalty,” Haruna told the retirees.

“The pension Board process payment of retirees immediately after the Directorate of Salary and Pension Administration forwards the particulars of the retiring workers to the pension Board” he added.

Alhaji Nasiru Haruna commended, Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi for releasing the sum of N3.422billion to Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board to settled outstanding Gratuities and death benefit to 1,331 retirees in the State.

“It is worth noting that in January this year, Governor Malam Umar. A Namadi has released Two Billion Naira as bailout to the State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme to settled outstanding gratuity.

He disclosed that, since the coming on board of the present administration, the Governor has prioritized the welfare of Pensioners and workers in the State and that is why he inaugurated a committee of experts to review/appraise the State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme.

The acting Executive Secretary acknowledged the Governor’s efforts in addressing the challenges of the Jigawa State Contributory Pension Scheme since his assumption of office in May 2023.

He said with the recent approval, the State Government had now released over N5.4b to the Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board as bailout and the Scheme has cleared all the outstanding payment of gratuities.

Alhaji Nasiru Haruna called on citizens of the State to continue to support the present administration with prayers in order to achieve a better Jigawa where everyone will be comfortable in the shared prosperity agenda of Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi.

He expressed appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi for his care and magnanimity to Pensioners in the State, adding that the prompt payment of Pension and gratuity has helped to enliven the heart of Pensioners and prayed that God would continue to fortify him to do more.

He stated that the gesture would enhance service delivery as well as bolster the well-being of the retirees to enjoy a fulfilled life after service.

“The State Government and the Board will continue to ensure the welfare of its workers for better service delivery and well-being of retirees after service” Haruna said.

Some of the beneficiaries, thanked the Governor for prioritizing issues concerning Pensioners’ welfare.

One of the retiree from Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Ado Garba said he retired in January 2024 as Messenger.

“Now that I received my gratuity and pension arrears from February, I will invest more in farming to make life better for myself and my family” Mr. Garba said.

Another retiree, Uwani Bako said she received her gratuity and pension arrears, adding that she will invest in Agriculture.

She commended Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi for timely payment of their gratuity.