Governor Atiku Bagudu says his administration has earmarked N3.5 billion to pay outstanding gratuity to retired Kebbi civil servants.

His media aide Yahaya Sarki disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Sarki quoted the Kebbi governor as saying this at a town hall meeting on the state’s 2023 budget held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi.

The Kebbi government revealed it would defray the outstanding gratuity owed retirees from December 2021 to September 2022 and noted that the state government had made adequate arrangements to ensure payments before the end of this year.

“It’s even a miracle that Nigeria has been kept together. I must thank the public servants and the generality of the people of the state for their uncommon show of support and cooperation. I must also thank the people of the state for their patience and resilience in accommodating some of our inadequacies,” said the governor.

Mr Bagudu added, “However, every government should be judged by the challenges it faces, and we are glad that we have done our best. We will sustain our modest efforts to govern the state transparently, honestly and piously and In-shaa Allah. The incoming administration will consolidate our achievements.”

(NAN)