Stephen Enoch
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir, has begun the payment of N6 billion in gratuities and death benefits to 6,000 pensioners in the state.
The Governor made this known on Saturday when he inaugurated the payment at a grand ceremony held at the Coronation Hall, Government House in Kano.
This is coming three months after a Stallion Times investigative report that revealed how some pensioners in the state were denied their retirement benefits after years of service, as others died while waiting.
The report also recounted how successive governments failed to pay the pensioners their retirement benefits after many promises and how retirees’ monthly pensions were being deducted consistently without refund.
It could be recalled that after that on 30th October Stallion Times also reported that the Kano State Government had set aside N6 billion to pay gratuities to civil servants in the state.
On 2nd December 2023, the state government commenced the payment of the unpaid retirement benefits to civil servants.
Speaking at the event, Governor Yusuf condemned the deduction of N5.4 billion from pensioners’ monthly pensions by the past administration and pledged to put a system that would ensure the continued payment of monthly gratuities.
Governor Yusuf said the gesture was part of his campaign promises to better the welfare of pensioners and workers in active service in the state.
“Since coming on board, we prioritized the welfare of pensioners and workers in the state by stopping “illegal” deduction of monthly salary and pension.
“I have since been concerned about the plight of retirees. These people served their state diligently.
“They had spent precious moments of their lifetime working for the state, but in the end, they had not been paid their entitlements.
“This is a sheer injustice and this is the end of it. From now on, I will ensure that no pension and salary deduction henceforth,” he added.
