At last, Governor Bassey Otu has approved N10 billion only, to address the outstanding payment of gratuity for retired Civil and Public Servants in Cross River State.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Mr Nsa Gill, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Friday, 26th July 2024.
According to the statement, the Governor has equally approved the constitution of a Committee of the Executives of State and Local Government Pension Unions under the headship of the Secretary to the State Government.
“The Committee is expected to meet with the Secretary to the State government (SSG) on Monday, 29th July 2024, with a view to working out modalities for the payment of gratuities to retired Civil and Public Officers in Cross River State,” the statement read in part.
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It will be recalled that the present administration inherited a backlog of unpaid gratuities of retirees dating back to the year 2014.
“The promise by the present administration to commence payment since last year has been delayed due to necessary steps for audit and verification.
“So far, the audit and verification exercise has uncovered over 2,000 (Two Thousand) ghost pensioners, who have consequently been expunged from both the State and Local Government Pensions Payrolls.
“With the near completion of the exercise to authenticate genuine pensioners, payment of gratuities will commence in August 2024.
“The Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has one week from the date of their 1st meeting to submit its report to Government,” the statement added.