The Plateau government says it will partner a private finance firm, United Capital, to clear the backlog of about N18 billion of gratuities, death benefits and arrears of pension of its erstwhile civil servants.

Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manja, disclosed this at a media briefing at the end of the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday in Jos.

“United Capital has agreed to take up the backlog of gratuity, death benefits and arrears of pension of civil servants, totalling about N18 billion. However, the civil servants have a choice because it is going to be discounted at a rate, so it is subject to negotiation with the civil servants,” Mr Manja explained.

The commissioner also mentioned that the council approved the downward review of prices of properties at the Government Reserved Area in Shendam local government area for residents who are retired workers, following an appeal regarding the difficulty in paying for the houses and the land allocated to them several years ago.

He said the council was informed that Governor Simon Lalong approved and released N114 million as payment for the operational licence fees of the Plateau radio and television, noting that the corporation was currently up to date in the payment of the fees.

Mr Manja further stated that more than N1 billion was approved for new projects and variations for previously awarded projects. He said the projects included the Cemetery Road in Dadin Kowa in Jos South LGA and the construction of an access road to the Area Command Office of the Nigeria Immigration Service. Other projects approved included the supply and installation of solar-powered street lights within the new Government House and works at the general hospitals in Kwal, Mabudi and Riyom.

(NAN)