Jigawa Pays N3.4bn Pension Benefits to 1,331 retirees
Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Board has begun disbursement N3.4 billion pension entitlements to 1,331 beneficiaries.
The acting Executive Secretary of the board, Nasiru Haruna, said this in a statement by the spokesman of the board, Ismail Ibrahim, on Thursday in Dutse.
Haruna said payments were being made to pensioners who retired from the service and those who died between January and July, 2024.
He said that more than N2.5 billion was disbursed to 1,001 beneficiaries, who retired either by reaching the mandatory retirement age of 35 years or 60 years of age.
The executive secretary said that more than N730 million was being paid to heirs of 241 beneficiaries, who died in active service.
According to him, N109.5 million is being paid to 84 beneficiaries, who retired from service and started receiving monthly pension but died before reaching their minimum period of five years after retirement.
“The last batch was beneficiary who did not contribute up to a period of five years and the law stated that for every staff to qualify to be paid from the scheme, he or she must contribute for a minimum period of five years.
“Under this category, we have paid one person the sum of N2,705,459 including 15 per cent interest.
“Today, we are going to pay the sum of N3,422,239,826 to 1,331 workers who retired or died from various state MDAs, LGCs and LGEAs,” he said.
He said the payment included retirement benefit, death benefit, death pension balance and refund of eight per cent contribution.
Haruna advised retirees to desist from engaging third party in processing their benefits, adding that the board did not authorised anybody to facilitate and or receive any amount from retirees.
“Our services are free. Never bribe any of our staff for your terminal benefits as we work under guidelines establishing our board in line with pension regulations.
“If any person asks for money within and outside the pension house to process your payment, it is a fraud and should be reported to the board for necessary penalty,” he said.
Haruna further commended Gov. Umar Namadi for releasing N3.42 billion to settle outstanding gratuities and death benefits of the 1,331 retirees.
He recalled that in January this year, the state government released N2 billion as bailout to the board to enable it to settle outstanding gratuities.
“Since the coming of the present administration, it has prioritised the welfare of pensioners and workers and that is why it inaugurated a committee of experts to review/appraise the state and Local Governments Contributory Pension Scheme.
“With the recent approval, the state government has now released over N5.4 billion to the board as bailout and it has cleared all the outstanding payment of gratuities”. #Jigawa Pays N3.4bn Pension Benefits to 1,331 retirees
British High Commissioner Visits Abia, Explores Areas of Economic Partnership
