Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, while launching the fifth tranche of payments for pension and death benefits, said his administration had so far paid N27 billion out of the N47 billion it inherited.
Governor Yusuf stated that the present administration in Kano would, before 2027, clear all the remaining unpaid pension gratuities and death benefits, assuring that his government had made elaborate arrangements to that effect.
Similarly, he declared that his administration has organised a major empowerment programme, under which over 4,000 youths across 44 local government areas will each receive a start-up capital of N150,000.
According to him: “This is with a view to support the establishment and growth of small businesses, and again at the end of this empowerment, by upper week, we shall also commence the payment of the second tranches of the councillor’s sovereignty.”
The governor disclosed that this initiative formed part of his commitment to fulfilling obligations to leaders at the grassroots.
He also announced the continuation of the monthly women’s empowerment scheme, under which 5,200 women across the 44 local government areas of the state will each receive N50,000 for small businesses.
He said: “It is my belief that this, insha Allah, will take effect in the next coming week, as arrangements have been finalised to sustain the impactful initiative. Let me, therefore, seize this opportunity to call on all the beneficiaries of these laudable programs to prepare themselves as the state government concludes necessary arrangements for their smooth execution.
“After payment of outstanding gratitude and death benefits to pensioners and families of the deceased civil servants, as part of our commitment to bring to an end the sufferings and predicament they have been facing for a long period of time, I, therefore, launched the fifth disbursement in our dogged commitment and resolve to settle the entire outstanding gratitude and death benefits. This is in order to bring final relief to our senior citizens and their families after facing frustrations and hardships in getting their entitlements for many years without success.”
He explained that the fifth tranche would cover 2017 and outstanding post-tranche payments for 1,026 beneficiaries, for which the sum of N5 billion had been earmarked and released.
“The present administration has so far settled the sum of N22 billion out of the inherited N43 billion outstanding terminal and death benefits in four batches to 12,433 beneficiaries.
“This indicates that since the inception of the present administration on 29th of May 2023, over 50 per cent of the inherited gratuity and death benefits arrears have been liquidated to the admiration of all ensemble,” he stated.
Kano: Governor Yusuf pays N5bn pension gratuity, promises to clear N47bn backlog