Yakubu Busari
The Plateau state Governor Simon Bako Lalong has assured retirees of clearing their gratuities and those of tertiary institutions before the end of December, 2017.
The Governor promise to clear the gratuity of retirees and that of the tertiary institutions across the state before next week to ease their plight during the celebration of yuletide.
Governor Lalong who was represented by the Head of Service, Izang Azi at the 2017 Pensioners Day celebration expressed confidence that the retirees are very dear to this administration adding that their welfare remains paramount to him.
He commended them for the show of understanding saying, the government inherited challenges of arrears, gratuities of several months from the past government but now they have reduced it to the barest minimum.
We have a backlog of files which they are currently working to clear all before crossing over to 2018, we give thanks to God.
Meanwhile, Plateau pensioners have called for N25, 000 minimum wage to all the retirees across Nigeria.
Mr. Morrice Daboer state chairman of pensioners made the call in his remark at the event as he said the poverty level in families whose its breadwinner is dead has increased due to non-payment of death benefits of their breadwinners is better imagined.
Daboer said it is pertinent to note that despite the recent goodwill of that state government in adding another batch of five hundred pensioners on the payroll lamenting that many are still on the waiting list.
He stressed the need for the governments to adopt a policy whereby officers are immediately placed on pension one or two months after retirement to check cases of accumulated pension alongside gratuities.
The Chairman appealed to Governor Simon Lalong to assist the Union with a vehicle and financial support for the completion of the Union Secretariat which is already at roofing level.
He called on the all the pensioners in Plateau state to give support to the executives so that we will forge together for the unity and growth of our great Union.
