Sokoto releases N680m for pensions, severance gratuities

Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal has approved the release of N680 million to settle pension arrears of teachers, local government staff and severance gratuity for former councillors in the state.

Alhaji Mannir Dan’Iya, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development in a statement in Sokoto on Wednesday said that already, payments had started and all beneficiaries would receive their entitlements in due course.

“The breakdown of the funds released indicate that N504.3 million is to be paid to former teachers and local government staff as accumulated pension, while the sum of N 172.9 million has been released to former councillors.

“This is for those who served in the immediate past executive councils of the 23 local government areas of the state in order to settle their severance gratuity.

“As such the payments show that government is responsive to the needs of all former employees and elected office holders and we will continue to treat our present and former employees with all the dignity and respect they deserve,” Dan’Iya added.

The commissioner commended workers in the local government councils for their commitment and assured that government would continue to meet its obligations to workers at all times.

In February 2017, the government released N1.2 billion for the payment of accumulated gratuity from the year 2010 for the staff of local government councils of the state.