The Taraba State Government has commenced the enrolment of 1,225 retired local government workers from the state’s 16 local government areas into the monthly pension payroll, following the approval of more than ₦7 billion by Governor Agbu Kefas to improve retirees’ welfare.
The newly enrolled pensioners will begin receiving their monthly pensions under the new minimum wage structure, marking another phase of the state’s efforts to clear pension backlogs and strengthen the welfare of retired civil servants.
Speaking during the exercise on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Local Government Service Pension Board, Thomas Daniel, said the initiative would also ensure that local government employees receive their pensions promptly upon retirement.
According to him, the latest exercise is the third of its kind under the Kefas administration.
“This is not the first time the governor has graciously approved this intervention for retired civil servants. The first exercise was carried out in 2023, when 1,166 retirees were enrolled, followed by another in December 2024 involving 1,134 beneficiaries. This latest phase covers 1,225 retirees,” Daniel said.
With a total of 3,525 retirees now captured under the programme, the state’s Head of Service, Ahmed Kara, said the government would sustain reforms aimed at improving the welfare of serving and retired civil servants.
Also speaking, the member representing Takum I Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Abubakar Tanko, assured the government of the legislature’s continued support for policies that strengthen local government administration and workers’ welfare.
Governor Kefas, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Gebon Kataps, said the enrolment exercise reflects his administration’s commitment to clearing outstanding pension obligations, promoting transparency and prioritising the welfare of retired workers.
He assured retirees that the government would sustain the initiative as part of broader efforts to build a more accountable, responsive and compassionate public service.