From John Bassey, Gusau
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has cleared ₦13.6 billion in gratuities and pensions owed to retirees, settling a 13-year backlog inherited from previous administrations.
In a recent interview with journalists in Gusau, Lawal announced the payments, completed within 24 months of his tenure.
He stated, “Though it was not easy, but I considered it as a duty that must be done.” Lawal criticised past administrations for neglecting retirees who served diligently, noting that some died while awaiting payments, and others lost hope. He assured civil servants that such delays would not occur under his leadership.
The payments, covering obligations from 2011 to 2024, have earned praise from workers’ unions and residents. The initiative addresses a longstanding grievance in Zamfara, where retirees faced severe financial hardship due to unpaid entitlements.