The Gombe State Executive Council has sanctioned approximately N5.2 billion for disbursing gratuities to retirees within the state and its local government units. This announcement came from the Commissioner for Information, Mijinyawa Tilde, following the conclusion of the council’s 36th meeting, overseen by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.
Tilde revealed that nine proposals were presented to the council, all of which received approval and endorsement. He emphasized that this marks the fifth instance in which the current administration has addressed outstanding gratuities inherited from previous regimes.
Further elaborating, the Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Magaji, specified that N2.291 billion would be allocated to settle gratuities owed to civil service retirees, particularly those who retired in 2018. Magaji underscored that this represents the fifth instance since the current administration took office in which such arrears have been cleared.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Abdulkadir Waziri, disclosed that the council greenlit gratuity payments to retired local government employees across all 11 Local Government Councils. He indicated that over N3 billion has been earmarked from the local government contributory fund to cover these payments, with some councils planning to settle arrears up to the year 2022.
Additionally, Magaji reported on other approvals granted by the Finance Ministry, including the allocation of N332 million for compensating property owners affected by the relocation of Bauchi and Dukku motor parks within Gombe metropolis. He explained that a task force had evaluated properties in these areas, leading to the approval of compensation funds to facilitate the relocation of the motor parks to the completed Mega Motor Park.
Governor Yahaya had previously disclosed that the state received N2 billion from the N5 billion subsidy removal palliative set by the Federal Government, which was distributed as relief to the people of Gombe State.