The Head of Service of Cross River State, Dr Innocent Eteng, has said there is no physical verification exercise yet for retirees in the state.
Dr Eteng was reacting to a purported press release making the rounds that a specific date, August 12 -20, 2024, has been slated for the physical verification of retirees in order for them to revive their gratuity.
CONVERSEER gathered that the purported press release was dated 9th August 2024 and signed by Dr Innocent Eteng as Permanent Secretary, General Administration, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), meanwhile, Eteng has since been appointed Head of Service by Governor Bassey Otu.
Reacting to the purported release on Sunday, 11th August 2024, Eteng, in a public service announcement, said there is no physical verification exercise for retirees yet, adding that arrangements are being made by the Gratuity Payment Committee to ensure a seamless exercise soon.
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The public announcement from Eteng reads thus: “The attention of the Head of Service has been drawn to a fictitious Press Release dated August 9, 2024, requesting retirees of a contrived “Batch A up to 2019” to report to the office of the Accountant -General for a physical verification exercise from Monday, August 12 -20, 2024.
“The said announcement is false and did not emanate from the Office of the Head of Service, nor the Office of the Secretary to the State Government or any other office of Government.
“Cross River State Pensioners and indeed the Public should disregard this directive as it is the handiwork of mischief makers and fraudsters.
“Arrangements are being made by the Gratuity Payment Committee to ensure a seamless exercise soon and the Public shall be informed appropriately.
“Retirees and the general public are advised never to part with their hard-earned monies to anyone who claims ability or link with any person or authority to facilitate gratuity payment.”