Governor Dauda Lawal said his administration had paid over N13.9 billion in gratuity debts to retired state and local government civil servants.

Mr Lawal announced this in Gusau on Tuesday while inaugurating the Contributory Pension Implementation Committee.

During the inauguration, the governor received a report from the joint committees on the payment of the backlog of gratuities in Zamfara.

The governor said that clearing the backlog of unpaid gratuities and pensions accumulated from 2011 to 2023 was one of the key achievements of his administration.

“A total of 3,824 beneficiaries from the state service received over N7.9 billion, while 4,833 workers from the Unified Local Government Service were paid over N5.9 billion in backlog gratuities. My administration prioritised settling the rights and benefits of the civil servants, especially those who had retired after 35 years of service and reached the age of 60.

“When we assumed office in 2023, we formed two committees to review and recommend payment of all outstanding gratuities for State and Local Government retirees. In spite of economic and social challenges, we paid three months’ unpaid salaries and allowances to the civil and public servants.

“We also settled unpaid allowances for Judges and judiciary staff,” Mr Lawal disclosed.

According to him, when they came on board, the minimum wage in Zamfara was only N7,000.

Mr Lawal also recalled that the N30,000 minimum wage was passed into law in 2019 by the previous administration, saying, “But it was never implemented. Cognisant of our responsibility and duty to the state, we implemented the N30,000.00 minimum wage immediately after our assumption in office.

“After the review of the nation’s minimum wage, from N30,000 to N70,000.00 in July 2024. We implemented the review after all due processes. During my two years of administration, we increased the minimum wage in the state from N7,000.00 to N70,000.00.”

He added that his administration introduced the sallah bonus and an end-of-year productivity bonus, also known as the 13th month salary, for all civil and public office holders.

Mr Lawal said, “We are ever ready to continue partnering with regulated pension fund organisations aligned with our new reforms. As I receive this report, I wish to acknowledge and commend the effort and commitment of the committee members.

“This was not an easy task. I am aware of the challenges faced by the members during the exercise and applaud their tenacity and determination.

“I want to reiterate my administration’s commitment to ensuring effective reforms in the pension administration of state and local governments.”

(NAN)