Nasarawa owes LG Pensioners N22bn

Nasarawa State Government needs over N22bn to pay the backlog of gratuities to local government pensioners who have retired between 1991 to date. This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, this week, when the state House of Assembly committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs paid an oversight visit to the ministry in Lafia.

He said, “There was the need for all stakeholders to collaborate with the government to make the system attractive, workable, attainable and sustainable.”

“First and foremost, I want to commend the committee for touring the 13 local government areas of the state in order to get first-hand information on the challenges facing the system.”

“The state government is also doing its best to address the challenges facing local government system in the state such as absenteeism, corruption, ghost workers, indiscipline, and nonchalant attitudes to work in order to restore its lost glory.”

“On the issue of delay in the payment of salaries and pensions, everybody is aware of the economic challenges facing the country. At times, local government staff salaries are not being paid in full and we have to calculate the percentage that is going to each local government and to each worker.”

“I want to disclose to you today that the state government requires N22bn to settle the backlog of gratuities to local government pensioners in the state who have retired between 1991 to date.”