Kebbi State government says it has released N6 billion for the payment gratuities of workers who retired from service between 2017 and 2021.

“Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has graciously approved the release of N6 billion for the payment of workers’ gratuity,” the acting Head of Service, Safiyanu Garba-Bena said in a statement on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

According to him, workers who disengaged from service in 2017 and 2018 and had received part payment of their gratuity will be paid their remaining balance.

He said other retirees in 2019, 2020, and 2021 will also receive payment of their gratuity.

The development, according to him, was the outcome of a meeting with the audit committee for state and local government pensioners, acting head of the civil service, and the state chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“It was unanimously agreed that labour unions and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) should be involved in all stages in the preparation and payment of gratuity to the deserving retirees,” Mr Garba-Bena said.

This, according to him, is to ensure probity and accountability in the process of payment.

“Arrangements for the payment will begin from January 17, 2022,” he assured the concerned retirees”.

(NAN)