Succour may have finally come the way of retired civil and public servants in Cross River state as Governor Bassey Otu, Friday, approved the sum of N10 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities.
Investigation indicated that Otu inherited a backlog of unpaid gratuities from 2014 with about N24 billion owed.
A statement dated July 26, 2024, signed by Nsa Gill, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said the promise by the present administration to commence payment since last year had been delayed due to necessary steps for audit and verification.
“So far, the audit and verification exercise has uncovered over 2,000 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 Governor has equally approved the constitution of a Committee of the Executive of 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, 2024 with a view to working out modalities for the payment of gratuities to retired Civil and Public Officers in Cross River State,” the statement submitted.