Cross River: Gov Otu approves N10b for payment of gratuities

… Over 2000 ghost pensioners uncovered

In his demonstration of concern and care for the wellbeing of pensioners in Cross River State, the state Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has given approval for the payment of outstanding gratuities of retired civil and public servants in Cross River.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor, Mr Nsa Gill.

The press release stated that “His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State has approved the sum of N10 billion naira only, to address the outstanding payment of Gratuity for retired Civil and Public Servants in the state.

“The Governor has equally approved the constitution of a Committee of the Executives of the State and Local Government Pension Unions under the headship of the Secretary to the State Government.

“The Committee is expected to meet with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on Monday 29th July with a view to working out modalities for the payment of gratuities to retired Civil and Public Officers in Cross River State.

“It will be recalled that the present administration inherited backlog of unpaid gratuities of retirees dating back to the year 2014. The promise by the present administration to commence payment since last year has been delayed due to necessary steps for audit and verification. So far, the audit and verification exercise has uncovered over 2,000 (Two Thousand) ghost pensioners, who have consequently been expunged from both the State and Local Government Pensions Payrolls.

“With the near completion of the exercise to authenticate genuine pensioners, payment of gratuities will commence in August 2024.

“The Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has one week from the date of their first meeting to submit its report to Government.”