Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, Tuesday, approved the release of N3.8 billion for the payment of gratuities, death benefits, and accrued pension rights to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The funds are to be disbursed through the Kaduna State Pension Bureau to ease the hardship faced by pensioners and families of deceased civil servants due to the ongoing verification exercise.
In a statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Ibraheem Musa, he said the approval was granted on compassionate grounds following appeals by affected pensioners.
While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sanitising the pension system, the governor directed the pension bureau to begin immediate payment to verified beneficiaries.
He said the verification was necessary to eliminate ghost pensioners and ensure prudent use of state resources.
Governor Sani also restated his commitment to the welfare of retired civil servants, noting that they deserved to be treated with dignity for their years of service to the state.
The statement said the verification exercise would be concluded soon to allow for seamless and uninterrupted monthly pension payments.