Zulum releases #8 billion to clear backlog of retirees benefits, teacher’s gratuities
He said the six billion naira is for the settlement of retirement benefits of civil servants who retired between 2019 and 2021. This includes permanent secretaries, accountant generals, and auditor generals.The two billion naira, according to the governor, is for the settlement of primary school teachers’ gratuities….
By Editor
Governor Babagana Zulum of Born State has presented cheques totaling eight billion naira for the settlement of retirees’ entitlements gratuities to primary school teachers.
In his remarks during the ceremony, Governor Babagana Zulum stated that his administration, since assuming office, has been making efforts towards the prompt payment of salaries, gratuities, and other workers’ entitlements.
The presentation of the cheques was made on Thursday at the council chamber of the Government House during a brief ceremony with officials of the Ministry of Finance, led by the Commissioner, Hon. Umar Mala Dalorima, the leadership of the organized labor, and that of the Retired Permanent Secretaries’ Forum.
He expressed dismay over the diversion of funds meant for the settlement of workers’ entitlements and other benefits, warning that, henceforth, such actions would not be allowed to go unchecked.
The Governor further disclosed that his administration has paid over twenty-five billion naira for the settlement of retirees’ benefits in the last six years, assuring that all the backlog of retirement benefits of retirees would be settled before leaving office.
He said the six billion naira is for the settlement of retirement benefits of civil servants who retired between 2019 and 2021. This includes permanent secretaries, accountant generals, and auditor generals.
The two billion naira, according to the Governor, is for the settlement of primary school teachers’ gratuities.
He also assured that he would look into the possibility of reviewing upwards the pensions of retired civil servants who are collecting meager payments despite their contributions to the state while serving.
Zulum further stated that the government would maintain the current system of pension, which is worker-friendly, and dropped the idea of adopting the contributory pension scheme.
He commended the officials of the Ministry of Finance and that of Budget and Planning for sorting out the payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities, urging them to religiously make the payments in sequential order.
Governor Zulum further praised the Vice-Chancellor of the Borno State University, Professor Babagana Gutti, for his relentless efforts in harmonizing the salary scale of the state workforce.
He also expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the organized labor in the state for their understanding and support of the state government.
The Governor enjoined the retired permanent secretaries to make themselves available when called upon to serve the state in other capacities, as his administration would continue to tap from their wealth of experience.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Finance, Umar Mala Dalorima, thanked Governor Zulum for approving the release of the funds for the settlement of the state’s retired civil servants and primary school teachers.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of the Forum of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Engineer Modu Mustapha, described the event as unprecedented and thanked the Governor for the gesture.

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