Gratuity: Opposition Leaders, Retirees Hail Gov Kefas, Says Payment Will Lift State Economy
Governor of Taraba state, Dr Agbu Kefas recently approved the sum of one billion naira for the payment of gratuity backlog.
Apart from the initial one billion naira, the governor also approved that a sum of 200 million be set aside each month to offset the backlog and continue the payments.
The last time gratuity payments were made was in 2018 during the first tenure of former Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku.
Many respondents including retirees who spoke to Taraba Truth and Fact Newspaper applauded Governor Kefas for providing succour to many senior citizens in the state.
Responding to this development, a chieftain of Zenith Labor Party ZLP in Taraba State Comrade Harris Ishaku said the payments of backlog of gratuity will uplift the living conditions of many retirees in the state.
"We must commend Governor Kefas for his decision to pay gratuity because many retirees are suffering and living miserable life because what they hope to fall back to was not given to them.
"Our challenge is that the payment should be transparent and without bias, the Governor should ensure politicians and civil servants does not interfere with the payment.
A former member of Social Democratic Party SDP State Executive Council Ayuba Kona said the commencement of payment of gratuity will end hardship faced by retirees in the state.
"Governance is about the people and not political parties, since Governor Kefas Agbu came to power the narrative about governance in Taraba State has been changing.
"With the latest approval of 1bn and 200 Million monthly to pay gratuity the economy of the state will experience a lift. The effect will be huge on the people particularly ages and retired civil servants many whom have lost hope of getting their entitlements. This payment will also boast the morale of civil servants in the state,"
A leader of United Democratic Party UDP Adamu Bambur said the Governor's decision has renewed the strength of many retired civil servants in the state.
"Since the news broke out on the payment of gratuity, many aged retirees received a renewed strength, our people are happy that they are considering as priority by the Governor, if the decision is sustained in five years all backlog will be cleared. In the first place it was wrong to have delayed such payments in the first place so it's commendable if Governor Kefas is not following the wrong step of his predecessor in this regards."
Also lawmaker representing Jalingo Yorro Zing Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Sadiq Abbas Tafida has described Governor Agbu's decision to offset the Taraba state government's long-standing liabilities in the areas of gratuity owed to state government workers as timely and commendable.
The lawmaker stated that the governor's action will stimulate the local economy with cash in circulation and restore the confidence of serving civil servants already in the system.
According to Sadiq Tafida, the development elevates Governor Kefas to the forefront as a people-oriented and labor-friendly leader who is concerned with the welfare and well-being of workers both during and after retirement.
He however urged employees in the state civil service workforce to reciprocate the Governor's gesture by being more committed to carrying out their responsibilities, as the reward for hard work is more work.
Governor Kefas, while signing the approval, directed the ministry of finance to ensure immediate payments of the overdue entitlements. He regretted the delays and said his government would not abandon workers who had served their fatherland diligently, a statement by Special Adviser Media and Digital Communications Emmanuel Bello said.
It would be recalled that Dr Agbu Kefas, during the campaign, promised to offset pensions and gratuity in spite of the huge backlog. The governor noted that it is unrighteous to deny workers who have slaved over the years their entitlements. He noted that his government will continue to service and make prompt payments of salaries, pension payments, and gratuities.
Assuring pensioners of Governor Kefas goodwill, the Permanent Secretary, Pensions, Mrs Rose Garba Ajiya, said the gesture will effectively end many years of anguish and frustration of aged pensioners. She said herself and her team are well prepared to begin payments as all records are available and accurately kept
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