THE Jigawa State and Local Government Pension Board has disbursed more than N3.6 billion to retired civil servants and families of deceased workers across the state from January to date this year.
News Point Nigeria reports that out of the amount, about N3 billion was paid to civil servants who disengaged from service, while more than N640 million was disbursed to families of workers who died while in active service.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr. Bilyaminu Shittu Aminu, disclosed this during the disbursement of more than N661 million to another batch of 272 retirees as terminal and death benefits at the board’s headquarters in Dutse.
According to him, the intervention forms part of ongoing efforts by the administration of Umar Namadi to ensure uninterrupted payment of pensions and gratuities to retired public servants in the state.
He explained that Governor Namadi’s administration had injected more than N11 billion into the pension scheme to strengthen the system and guarantee regular payment of retirees’ entitlements.
Earlier, while giving a breakdown of the latest disbursement, the state Head of Service, Alhaji Muhd K. Dagaceri, said the payment, which is the third batch this year, comprised more than N519 million to be paid to 220 retirees.
Dagaceri added that more than N123 million would be paid to relatives of 37 civil servants who died while still in active service.
He further disclosed that relatives of 15 retirees who died before spending five years in retirement would also receive more than N18 million.
The Head of Service stated that the Jigawa State and Local Government contributory pension scheme remains up to date in the payment of retirees’ entitlements as well as the prompt payment of monthly pensions.
He noted that the achievements being recorded under the scheme reflect the commitment of Governor Namadi’s administration to the welfare of retired public servants in the state.
Dagaceri also advised beneficiaries to avoid reckless spending of their retirement benefits and instead invest in viable ventures such as agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Some of the beneficiaries interviewed commended the state government for the timely payment of retirement benefits and the regular payment of monthly pensions.
