By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
No less than 86 civil servants have died in active service while 577 retired from service in JIgawa state last year (2023).
This was contained in a press statement made available to our reporter in Dutse, the state capital by the public relations officer in the office of the Head of Civil Service, Mr Ismaila Ibrahim.
He indicated that the state government has released N292,961,356.02 to their families as their benefits.
The statement indicated that 577 workers in the state, local government and local education authority retired from service after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 35 years in service or 60 years by birth.
According to the statement, the state government has released over N1. 823b as retirement and death benefits to 702 civil servants that left service or died in active service in 2023.
“Over N1.8 billion to be disbursed as payment of terminal benefits to 702 who exited from active service on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years by birth between the period of 2023”.
He added “the payment was categorized into four, indicating that the first batch of 577 retired staff consist of those who retired either by reaching the mandatory retirement age of 35 years in service or 60 years by birth were paid N1,506,610,189.71 Billion”.
Mr Ismaila Ibrahim explained that “The second categories of eighty – six staff are those who died while in active service, where their relations were paid the sum of N292,961,356.02 million”.
The Public Relations Officer maintained that “the third batch consisted of thirty-eight retirees who retired from service and started receiving monthly pension but died before reaching their minimum period of five years after retirement. These people were paid N23, 838,498.17million”.
In the statement the executive secretary to the state and local government contributory scheme, Alhaji Kamilu Aliyu Musa warned pensioners in the state to be wary of fraudisters, saying “Our services are free, don’t offer any gratification to our staff while processing or waiting for benefits.
“We worked under guidelines establishing our Board in line with consonant of pension regulations.”
Alhaji Musa called on citizens of the State to continue to support the Government with their prayers in order to achieve a better Jigawa where everyone will be comfortable in the shared prosperity agenda of the State.
He expressed appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi FCA for his care and magnanimity to Pensioners in the State adding that the prompt payment of Pensions and gratuity has helped to enliven the heart of Pensioners and prayed that God would continue to fortify him to do more.
He stated that the gesture would enhance service delivery as well as bolster the well-being of the retirees to enjoy a fulfilled life after service.
“The State Government and the Board will continue to ensure prompt payment of Pension and other entitlements to workers for better service delivery, well being of retirees and fulfilled life after service