Niger gratuity liabilities dropped by N4bn — Commissioner

Niger State Government has refuted a media report that its pension debt has risen to N28 billion under Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago-led administration, lighting, “that the accumulated gratuity arrears has significantly reduced since the emergence of the current administration”.

Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, while reacting to a publication by an online media platform on Friday, told our reporter that the State’s Gratuity liabilities inherited dropped rather by N4 billion. While describing the allegation as baseless and unfounded, aiming to tarnish the good name of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.

Hon. Mamman said so far, eight payments have been made, with each batch totalling five hundred million naira, bringing the total to four billion.

According to her, “It is important to note that the current administration cleared outstanding gratuity payments for retirees from 2011 to 2016, amounting to four billion naira (N4 billion), and this has significantly reduced the accumulated gratuity arrears.

She said contrary to claims made by the Online media platform, a review of the Niger state audit report for the 2023 financial year has shown that the State government under Governor Umar Bago owes N28 billion in pension arrears, an increase from the N10.5 billion recorded in 2022.

The Spokesperson of the state government while refuting the allegations, stated that “the current administration inherited a total liability of N29,387,887,590.42 as of May 2023.

“The Pension Board has already paid four billion naira out of this liability, as payments commenced since July 24, 2024.”

While urging the Media to conduct thorough investigations before publishing to avoid misleading the public on pension matters, Director General of the Pension Board, Alhaji Nasiru Saidu Namaska disclosed that pensioners in the state are satisfied with the commencement of gratuity payments.

He added, “In eight tranches, the sum of N500 million was paid, making it N4 billion, and the temporary halt in gratuity payments is due to circumstances; I can assure you that payment will resume.”