By Ben Ngwakwe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to settling gratuity liabilities for state retirees, disclosing that N17.2 billion out of the N21 billion inherited from previous administrations have been cleared.
Speaking on Monday at the presentation of cheques and payment of backlog of gratuities to state retirees, Yahaya disclosed that his administration is committed to workers’ welfare.
“When we assumed office in 2019, we inherited a backlog of gratuities amounting to over ₦21 billion from previous administrations,” Yahaya said. “Recognising the weight of this responsibility, our administration has made significant strides toward alleviating this burden.”
Yahaya noted that despite the significant progress made, the burden of gratuity obligations continues to increase as civil servants exit the service. He revealed that the outstanding gratuity obligations now stand at ₦19 billion for both state and local government retirees.
“Today’s event demonstrates our resolve to leave no liabilities behind,” Yahaya said. “I am pleased to reaffirm that it is our solemn commitment to clear all gratuity obligations before the end of our tenure in 2027. By doing so, we aim to leave a legacy of accountability and compassion, thus ensuring no retiree is left without the benefits they so rightly deserve.”
Yahaya also highlighted his administration’s efforts to enhance the welfare of civil servants, including the recent implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for state government workers. “This bold step reflects our determination to shield our civil servants from the harsh realities of economic challenges, particularly in the aftermath of fuel subsidy removal,” he said.
The governor commended labour unions, retiree associations, and other stakeholders for their cooperation and constructive dialogue throughout the process.
“I commend the labour unions, retiree associations, and other stakeholders for their patience, cooperation, and constructive dialogue throughout this process,” Yahaya said. “Your support has been instrumental in guiding our reforms and ensuring the welfare of civil servants remains a top priority for our administration.”
