From Desmond Mgboh Kano
Over N1,543 billion has been disbursed as payment of terminal benefits to 609 retirees in Jigawa State.
The payments were made to the retirees between August and December 2024 by the Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Board.
The Board Executive Secretary, Bilyaminu Shitu Aminu, made this known while addressing the beneficiaries in the state capital.
Bilyaminu said the payment was categorized into four categories, indicating that the first batch of 465 retired staff consisted of those who retired either by reaching the mandatory retirement age of 35 years in service or sixty years by birth and were paid N1,173,946,287 billion.
The second category of 103 staff are those who died while on active service, adding that their relatives were paid the sum of N315,023,121.01 million.
He noted that the third batch consists of 39 retirees who retired from service and started receiving monthly pension but died before reaching their minimum period of five years after retirement. These people were paid N54,193,759.77 million, he added.
The last batch were beneficiaries who did not contribute up to a period of five years, disclosing that the law specified that for every staff member to qualify to be paid from the scheme, he should have contributed for a minimum period of five years.
“Under this category, we have paid two people the sum of N749, 010.31 including 15% interest,” he stated.
The Executive Secretary warned the pensioners against fraudsters, saying, “Our services are free; never bribe any of our staff for your terminal benefits, as we worked under guidelines establishing our Board in line with consonant pension regulations.”
He lauded the state governor, Umar A. Namadi, for his magnanimity toward pensioners in the state, while adding that the gesture would enhance service delivery and bolster the well-being of the retirees.
Source: Daily Sun
