Zulum releases N5.81bn to clear gratuity backlog for Borno retirees

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has presented cheques worth N5.81 billion for the Immediate payment of outstanding gratuities to retired civil servants and the families of deceased workers.

The Governor presented the cheques on Friday at the Council Chamber of the Government House, Maiduguri, during a special meeting with the leadership of the organised labour and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners in attendance as part of efforts to improve the welfare of retired workers and the families of deceased civil servants.

Some of his administration’s commitments to the settlement of workers’ entitlements, including the monthly release of N200 million for gratuity payment, the release of N8 billion for pensioners’ entitlements and teachers’ gratuities in 2025, and N12 billion disbursed in 2020 for the payment of about 5,000 retired state and local government civil servants, among other interventions.

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The Governor explained that the first cheque, amounting to N2,992,301,964.95, would settle all outstanding gratuities owed to the families of deceased civil servants to date, while the second cheque of N2,822,528,306.99 would cover gratuities for pensioners up to December 2022, including outstanding payments to staff of the Borno State Housing Corporation from 2013 to date.

“In fulfillment of our campaign promises, this afternoon, as it has been said by the Honourable Commissioner of Finance, we are presenting a cheque of about N5,814,830,271.94 to deceased and retired civil servants,” Babagana Zulum said.

He added that, “We have quite a number of civil servants who have lost their lives, and their families are still battling with life’s challenges. We are presenting about three billion naira to the families of deceased civil servants so they can continue to live in peace and dignity. Apart from this, civil servants who retired in 2022 will now receive their gratuities in full, after which we shall move to those who retired in 2023,”

Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Lawan Umar Dalorima, commended the Governor for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees.

Lawan Dalorima said the payment reflects the administration’s determination to honour those who devoted their productive years to the service of Borno State.

According to him, “This is another demonstration of your compassionate and people-centered leadership, where the welfare of citizens remain a top priority despite competing priorities,”

Responding on behalf of organised labour, the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mamman Bukar, expressed appreciation to Governor Zulum for settling the outstanding gratuities, describing the gesture as timely and impactful.

He said the payment would significantly ease the hardship faced by pensioners and the families of deceased civil servants while boosting confidence in the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

Similarly, Babagana Umara Zulum has assured local government employees of his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges affecting their welfare, promising that the state government will soon engage with their representatives to find lasting solutions.

The Governor gave the assurance during the presentation of cheques for the outstanding payment of gratuity to retirees and deceased civil servants at the Government House.

“Borno State Government is very much aware of some of the problems facing local government employees. Very soon, we shall engage with you and see how we can address your challenges,” Zulum said.

Babagana Zulum explained that one of the major constraints facing the local government system is the large workforce on its payroll, which has limited the government’s ability to introduce far-reaching welfare reforms.

He appealed to local government workers to remain calm and exercise patience, assuring them that government would soon convene a meeting with their union leadership to deliberate on practical measures of improving their welfare.

The ceremony was attended by the member representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis; the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; commissioners; elder statesman, Dr. Musa Inuwa Kubo; special advisers; permanent secretaries; the Director-General of Debt Management Office; and labour leaders.