GOVERNOR Abba Kabir Yusuf has accused the acting National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje worsening social security of Kano over failure of the former Governor to priortize pay of gratuities and death benefits of the state retirees in his eight year tenure.
Besides, Governor Yusuf worried over ‘perennial neglect’ of the immediate past administration pay pensioners for eight years, thereby reducing the Pension Fund Trustees with cummulative outstanding of over N48 billion.
Yusuf made the revelation on Thursday during official launch of 3rd tranche of N5 billion payment of backlog of gratuities and death benefits of retirees at the open arena, government house in Kano.
In a statement released by Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Yusuf sympathized with the state pensioners who he said had passed through difficult times and untold hardship during Ganduje led administration out of his self-centredness.
He emphasized that hundreds of the retirees had loss their lives while waiting endlessly for their entitlements that were denied for no just reason.
“The perennial neglect of Ganduje’s administration to settle pensioners entitlements in the last eight years of his government has subjected pensioners to hardship in Kano.”
“This is the biggest social security threat ever witnessed since the creation of Kano state in 1967. Many have lost their lives while waiting endlessly for their gratuities”. Yusuf said.
The Governor explained that the release of cumulative sum of N16 billion gratuities to about 6,886 retirees in three tranches was part of his campaign promise to ease the pain of senior citizens who had contributed immensely to public service while on active service.
According to him, payment of backlog gratuities to the lawful beneficiaries is not only an obligation, but a moral right of every leader. He assured the retirees of transparent processes of the payment which they would recieve through electronic system from government treasury.
Yusuf reminded additional sum of N846 million unclaimed death benefit, directed the state head of service, the Sharia commission and pension fund trustee to intensify search and identify relatives of the deceased pensioners for payment.
“Out of over N48 billion inherited, we commenced settlement process with N6 billion being the 1st tranch to 2,2667 retirees. Few months later we released the second tranche of N5 billion to 2,216 pensioners. Today, I am overwhelmed with joy to witness the launch of the 3rd trench of N5 billion for 2,000 beneficiaries.
“We are not paying the pensioners in cash because we don’t have confidence in the cash payment, and we would not allow the irregularities that characterize the past administration to reoccur. You will all be paid through bank account directly to your account”. He assured the beneficiaries.
Yusuf used the occasion to announce approval for upward review of minimum pensioner award from N5, 000 to N20, 000 to reflect the impact of inflation, and it’s resultant implications largely on purchasing power of the people.
Earlier, the President, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Comrade Titus Audu Amba lauded the commitment of Kano state government to reduce the overwhelming burden of pension gratuities in Kano.
He challenged Nigerian governors to imbibe the rare gesture of Governor Yusuf on pensioners entitlements, stressed the impact of the N16 billion would not only change the life of the immediate beneficiaries but improve the macro economy system of the state.