Despite Massive Fund on Security, Borno Remains Committed to Welfare of Citizens, Say Pensioners

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Borno State chapter, has said despite the massive fund expended on security in the state, the state Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has remained focused and committed to the welfare of citizens, particularly in the prompt payment of pensions, salaries, and gratuities.

The commendation was given by the Chairman of the NUP in the state, Musa Alhaji Bukar, during a meeting in Maiduguri with executives from 30 branches, including those from the 27 local government areas.

Bukar noted that the governor’s directive to increase the monthly fund for outstanding gratuities for state retirees from N100 million to N200 million has significantly improved the lives and families of many, contributing to economic development. The NUP chairman also mentioned that Governor Zulum had paid 50 percent pension arrears to 1,115 state retirees for 2021 to 2022 last year, in addition to clearing pension outstanding arrears of 534 retirees across the 27 local government areas.

He highlighted that the payment of 25 percent gratuity to 500 Primary School Teachers, the settlement of gratuities for local government retirees, the continuous payment of monthly pensions without delay, the resolution of 25 percent payments to late cases in the state, and the clearance of 399 outstanding pension arrears to the primary school board represent significant progress. He applauded the swift approval and release of billions of naira and encouraged the government to continue its support by reviewing pensions to help retirees cope with the rising cost of goods and services in the state.

According to him, “Let me use this opportunity to thank you all for honouring this invitation. It is an occasion for us to meet and discuss our achievements and the way forward.

“On behalf of the NUP in Borno State, I commend Governor Babagana Zulum for his dedication to improve the retirees’ plight through prompt payment of pensions and gratuities.”

He added that: “We greatly appreciate Governor Zulum for the increased payments of outstanding gratuities to our state retirees, which has transformed many lives and families towards economic development.”

Bukar urged the government not to rest on its laurels but to come to the aid of pensioners by adjusting pensions to help those with minimal funds withstand the inflation of goods and services in the state.

Meanwhile, among the communiqués issued at the end of the NUP meeting was a strong call on other state governors to emulate Zulum in addressing the plight of the citizenry, particularly retired and serving civil servants, and to foster unity among its members.