Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has expressed displeasure over delayed payment of long standing arrears of gratuities and pension to retired civil servants in the state spanning years.

The governor lamented that many of the retirees have unnecessarily endured years of delay in receiving their entitlements despite serving the state and people diligently.

However, to address the the situation, Fintiri has reconstituted the state Pension Committee with a mandate to ensure fairness, transparency and prompt settlement of arrears owed the retired civil servants in the state.

The governor inaugurated the committee through Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Auwal Tukur at the state secretariat complex in Yola.

Tukur while speaking at the inauguration, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to easing the financial burden of retirees many of whom he said have endured years of delay in receiving their entitlements.

He announced that as part of the renewed efforts, Governor Fintiri has approved the release of N8 billion for the settlement of pension liabilities, N5 billion for the settlement of state pension arrears and N3 billion for local government retirees.

The governor directed that the funds must be distributed fairly across all the 21 local governments councils of the state.

The SSG stressed that the payments would follow strictly on a first retired, first served basis to prevent favoritism and to ensure transparency and fairness.

He commended the committee’s previous performance and expressed confidence that, under the leadership of the chairman, Engineer Benson Jelani, it would continue to carry out its duties diligently and transparently.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Engineer Benson Jelani, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for the trust and confidence reposed in them.

Jelani assured that the committee would carry out its responsibilities diligently, with utmost integrity and commitment, pledging to discharge their duties without fear or favor.

Adamawa: Gov Fintiri inaugurates committee over delayed pension payments