Labour Unions, Pensioners Laud Sani for Releasing N3.1bn for Gratuities

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Leaders of trade unions and pensioners in Kaduna State have commended the State Governor, Senator Uba Sani for the timely release of N3.1billion for  payment of gratuities and death benefits under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and the Contributory Pension Schemes (CPS).

The State chapters of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in separate letters of commendations, praised the governor for the proactive release of the funds especially in the face of current economic realities.
They maintained that the gesture would serve as an immediate intervention that would alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of those who have died.

“We write to appreciate Your Excellency for the approval and release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased retirees. While pledging support to the governor, the unions advocated for the constitution of the board of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau to ensure total transparency in the system.

“This honourable gesture will serve as an immediate intervention that will alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of our fallen heroes that served our dear state diligently,” the NLC stated in their letter signed by its Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman.
In their letters, the NUP and the TUC, applauded the governor for approving the money to pay gratuities and death benefits, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of retirees and families of deceased workers.

“For inclusiveness and to strengthen the judicial utiliation of these funds even in the future, we are advocating for the constitution of the Board of the Bureau in accordance with section 20 of the Kaduna State Pension Reform (Amended) Law, 2020″, the unions stated in their letters.

In October 2023, the State government had approved the release of N3.1billion for the payment of gratuity to retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes.

According to the Kaduna State Pension Bureau, over 1,000 retirees and families of deceased beneficiaries were to benefit from the pension funds released as the verification exercise for the payments had commenced in the three senatorial districts of the state.