– As HoS says govt has worked out modality to offset the gratuity once and for all
– Says pension and salaries are being paid as at when due
The Bauchi State Head of Civil Service, (HoS), Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, on Friday announced the approval of N500 million by Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for the payment of gratuities with immediate effect.
Alhaji Yahuza Adamu announced this while briefing journalists on the outcome of an extraordinary meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC) presided over by the governor at the Council Chambers, Government House, Bauchi.
The Head of Service said the state government had already worked out the modality of offsetting the gratuity in the state once and for all with the introduction of a new pension scheme recently signed by Governor Bala Mohammed.
“It is a known fact that if there is any issue that bedeviled this government is that of gratuity arrears. In an effort to ensure that this ugly trend has not continued, a lasting solution has been sought and implemented.
“Because the hardship is so much, and as the governor is a listening governor, he is paying N500 million for the payment of gratuities with immediate effect. The N500 million is for gratuity only and for the record purposes, Bauchi state government has been paying pension and salaries as at when due.”
According to the civil service boss, the state government was concerned about the welfare of not only the pensioners but also those in the service and called for continued support to the government in its reforms agenda for the best interest of the service and the workers.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Health, Dr Sabi’u Gwalabe mentioned some of the achievements recorded in the health sector by the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed to include construction, renovation and equipping of 14 general hospitals as well as construction, renovation and equipping of primary health care centres across the state.
“The state government also paid about N100 million counterpart funds for the basic care provisions. His Excellency, the Governor has also paid about $100,000 as a counterpart to impact project which is about to kick up in the 14 states of the federation.”
The State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Aminu Hammayo who spoke on the preparation for the 2023 budget proposal, assured that the state government will consolidate on its gains achieved in previous proposals.
