From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Kano State Governor, Abba, Kabir Yusuf, on Saturday commenced the payment of N6 billion as death benefits to deceased civil servants and gratuity of pensioners in the state.
The beneficiaries included about 6,000 workers who exited the civil service and families of workers who died between 2016 and 2019.
Speaking at the event, the governor expressed delight at the implementation of the payments despite the meagre resources and competing developmental projects in the state, while attributing the payments to the fact that his administration had blocked all sources of leakages of public funds in the state.
He acknowledged the plights of pensioners in the state, especially those at the lower level as they were the end recipients of the economic hardships occasion by the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
The governor added that to clear the backlog of the liabilities, N10 billion was proposed in the state 2024 budget, which would cater for the cost of gratuity and death benefits to pensioners and the families of deceased civil servants.
He called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of their money and invest wisely in lawful businesses for more incomes to cater for their day-to-day needs and other necessities of life.
The Executive Chairman of Kano State Pension Trustees Fund, Habu, Muhammad Fagge, lauded the governor for his efforts, saying they were clear indicators of his zeal to better the lives of pensioners and provide succour to the families of deceased civil servants.