By Beauty John, Lafia
Nasarawa state government, Wednesday, kick-started the disbursement of over N300m as part payment of gratuity to over 600 retired civil servants in the state.
Speaking at the flag off of the disbursement, in Lafia, Director General , Nasarawa State Pensions Bureau, Abdullahi Oseze disclosed that the state government had undertaken census of all retirees in the state and their entitlements to enable it pay off their gratuities in phases including those who retired more than ten years ago.
The Director General, while presenting cheques to the retirees to mark the commencement of payment, assured them that the government will do all it could to make sure that no retiree is left out.
“We are hopeful that as we have started paying gratuities to retirees in the state, we won’t stop until we are able to pay everyone.
Oseze appealed to retirees who were not shortlisted for the first phase of payment to exercise patience and they wait for their turn, assuring them that as soon as more funds are made available, they also will be paid.
“I appeal to all pensioners in the state to maintain calmness as government is concerned about their welfare,” he assured.
State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Musa Obakpa, commended the state government for paying attention to the welfare of retirees in the state.
In his remark, Mr Emmanuel Alidzi , Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, said that they commenced the disbursement with beneficiaries from Keffi zone.
“Government is doing everything possible to ensure that pensioners in the state are comfortable. We are beginning with Keffi zone followed by Akwanga zone while the Lafia zone.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Florence Asanza who lost her husband 16 years ago in active duty could not hold back tears as the cheque was presented to her.
According to her, the payment of her late husband’s entitlements came as a surprise as she had given up hope after a long wait.
