THE Federal Government has released N22.68 billion to settle part of the retirement benefits of former workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government has also approved the release of N20 billion to revitalize public universities in line with demands of the Academic Staff of Universities.
The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed who made the disclosure in Abuja on Monday, however, said the money for the universities would be released through normal channels while that of the ex-airways workers would be paid after verification.
The minister, who announced the setting up of a nine-member committee to verify the claims of the ex-workers, said the money approved was 50 per cent of their N45 billion benefits.
“As you are aware, the ex-workers of Nigeria Airways Limited in liquidation were not paid their retirement benefits for the past 15 years despite the liquidation.
“As a result of the delays in settlement of these benefits, many ex-workers have been thrown out of their houses, their children have been unable to attend school, and others have lost their businesses, fallen ill or indeed, passed on.
ALSO READ: Adeleke rejects result of Ayedaade LG over alleged destruction of votes
“This unfortunate situation cannot be allowed to continue under a responsible administration.
“It is on this basis that Mr President has approved the immediate release of N22.68 billion being 50 per cent of N45.3 billion total entitlements of the ex-workers of the Nigeria Airways Limited in liquidation”, she said.
Ahmed said that the nine-member committee is headed by Mohammed Dikwa, Director of Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit.
Other members would be drawn from the Office of the Head of Service, ministries of Aviation and Finance, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Accountant-General office, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, the ex-workers union, and the Budget Office.
“The committee is mandated to physically verify the claims of pensioners and relevant next-of-kin before the release of funds to the approved beneficiaries,” she stressed.
The minister also explained that the N20 billion for the universities would be released immediately in line with the established criteria used by the National Universities Commission.
Ahmed said that the federal government would monitor the progress of the implementation of the universities’ revitalisation with a view to resolving emerging issues and keeping its promises to relevant stakeholders.
Those idiots saying he did it because of elections should answer the following questions:
(A) Have we not held elections in the past 15 years?
(B) Why did those who liquidated the airways not settle the debts as a political tool?
(C) Is it right that the retirees have suffered and some even died before the money is released?
(D) Should he have waited for more of the retirees to die, before releasing the money?
(E) If not for satanic and wicked purposes, why was it impossible for the past governments to release the money to the poor people?
(E) Was Buhari a part of the satanic government that liquidated the airways, without any plan as to settling the severance benefits of the workforce?
(F) Most everything done by this government be politicized and condemned?
20bn to university and AE Funai is collecting over fifty thousand Naira as school fees
Thanks to Dr.MOMOH who saved and cured me from hepatitis B.. virus.with his herb medicine you can also reached him through this number or you add him up on whatsapp for similar issue on…+2349058587788 or +2349068579672