The Jigawa State and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme Board has commenced the disbursement of N1.39 billion in terminal and death benefits to 560 retirees and families of deceased civil servants.
The payment covers gratuities, death benefits and outstanding pension balances for workers who retired voluntarily, attained the mandatory retirement age or died while in active service.
Speaking at the flag-off of the disbursement at the Pension House in Dutse on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of the scheme, Bilyaminu Aminu, said the beneficiaries were drawn from the state civil service, the 27 local government councils and local education authorities.
Aminu disclosed that Governor Umar Namadi approved the release of N1,389,857,763.37 for the exercise, describing it as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of retirees and the families of deceased workers.
He said N1,101,443,426.68 would be paid to 453 retired civil servants, while N261,855,040.41 had been earmarked for 90 next of kin of workers who died while in active service.
He added that N26,559,296.28 would be paid to the families of 17 pensioners who died before completing the mandatory five-year post-retirement period under the contributory pension scheme.
“For this last category, we are paying N26,559,296.28 as the balance of their entitlements to their next of kin,” he said.
Aminu assured beneficiaries that the contributory pension scheme remained financially stable and up to date in meeting its obligations, noting that retirement benefits and monthly pensions were being paid without delay.
“We are also current with the payment of monthly pensions to all retired civil servants across the 27 local government areas of the state,” he said.
He attributed the consistency in pension payments to the support and reforms introduced by Governor Namadi, commending the administration for sustaining the contributory pension scheme and ensuring prompt payment of retirees’ benefits.
“I must extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, Governor Umar Namadi, for his steadfast support and the transformative reforms he has initiated since assuming office,” Aminu said.