Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has accused the acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje of failing to priortize the payment of gratuities and death benefits of retirees throughout his eight -year tenure.
Gov. Yusuf said Ganduje left the state with an outstanding gratuity and pension liability of over N48 billion.
The governor made the revelation on Thursday during the payment of the third tranche of N5 billion backlog of gratuities and death benefits to retirees at the Government House in Kano.
In a statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, Gov. Yusuf sympathized with the state pensioners who he said, had passed through difficult times and untold hardship during Ganduje’s tenure.
He emphasized that hundreds of retirees had loss their lives while waiting endlessly for their entitlements that were denied them 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 into 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,” Gov. Yusuf said.
The governor explained that the release of the 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 the state’s public service.
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According to him, the payment of backlog of gratuities to the lawful beneficiaries is not only an obligation, but a moral right of every leader.
He assured the retirees of transparent process of payment which they would recieve through electronic transfer from the state government’s treasury.
“Out of over N48 billion inherited, we commenced the settlement process with N6 billion being the first tranch to 2, 667 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 third 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 characterized the past administration to reoccur. You will all be paid through bank account directly to your account,” he told the beneficiaries.
Gov. Yusuf then announced the upward review of the monthly pension from N5, 000 to N20, 000 to reflect the impact of inflation.
