Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state, on Wednesday, commenced the payment of N4 billion gratuity to retired civil servants in the state as part of his one year anniversary.

Mr Aliyu presented cheques to some beneficiaries, saying that the efforts were in fulfilment of his promise after receiving the payment committee’s report he set up.

He said the committee had verified unpaid gratuities of about 5,000 retired persons with an accumulated backlog of N14 billion gratuities from 2015 to 2023.

According to him, the sum of N500 million was earmarked monthly beginning from May to Dec. this year, which payment began on Wednesday.

”I want to appeal to the beneficiaries to utilise the money in a manner that will be beneficial to their respective families,” he pleaded.

Mr Aliyu reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensure full payment of the gratuities as started and execute other programmes that would enhance the well-being of the people.

Earlier, the state’s accountant general, Umar Ahmad, said a total of 274 retired civil servants were screened from 2015 and 2016.

Mr Ahmad said 130 persons were paid and already their accounts have been credited while 68 decreased workers’ payments were sent to the commissioner of justice for appropriate actions, while payments for 76 persons were being processed.

Some beneficiaries, Ya’u Ahmad-Galgo received N8.8 million, Abdullahi Usman-Mabera, N.8 million while Bala Sidi-Sarki collected N8.4 million.

A beneficiary, Mr Sidi-Sarki, who worked with the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SSPHCDA) said he waited for eight years for his gratuity.

Mr Usman-Mabera who worked at the Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, described the efforts as a great life-line. 

(NAN)