Jubilation as Gov Dauda clears N9bn gratuity backlog owed to retirees

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has successfully settled ₦9,357,743,281.35 in unpaid gratuities owed to state and local government workers since 2011.

The payments, which began in February this year following the governor’s approval, mark significant progress in addressing long-standing debts to retired workers.

According to a statement released on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the government has already disbursed ₦4,860,613,699.22 to state retirees across nine batches.

Additionally, the sum of ₦4,497,129,582.13 has been paid to retired local government employees.

He said: “In his commitment to reform the Zamfara state civil service, in February, Governor Lawal established a committee to verify and authenticate the Zamfara State pensioners who had not been paid gratuities since 2011.

“So far, 2,666 out of the 3,880 verified pensioners have been paid their total gratuity entitlements, amounting to N4,860,613,699.22, out of the total amount owed by previous administrations. These payments have been made to beneficiaries who retired between 2015 and 2024.

“On the other hand, 3,840 out of 4804 verified retired Local Government and Primary School Teachers have so far been paid in nine (9) batches to the tune of N4,497,129,582.13. The Local Government Gratuity outstanding total payable arrears was N5,688,230,607.20, of which N4,497,129,582.13 has been paid to date. The beneficiaries of the payments are those who retired between 2011- 2021.

“In summary, therefore, the state has so far paid a combined total of N9,357,743,281.35 as gratuity out of the cumulative sum of N13,784,179,513.80 owed by the state to a total number of 6,506 verified retired beneficiaries out of the 8,684 the total verified retired beneficiaries. The beneficiaries of the payments are those who retired between 2011- 2024.”