NLC, TUC laud Kaduna for releasing N3.1bn pension benefits

Leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Kaduna State have commended the state governor, Senator Uba Sani, for releasing N3.1bn for the payment of pensioners in the state.

The PUNCH reports that the N3.1bn is for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits for families of deceased workers under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Scheme in the state.

The governor had said the approval was in tandem with his commitment to easing the hardship being faced by the “elderly, who are among the state’s most vulnerable.”

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Pension Bureau has released the list of 1,051 beneficiaries for both the defined benefits scheme and the contributory pension scheme.

The Bureau has also commenced the verification for the payment, according to the Executive Secretary, Prof. Salamatu Isah.

Acknowledging the timeliness of the release and subsequent payment of gratuity to those affected, the organised labour, in their separate letters, noted that the gesture would go a long way in cushioning the current harsh economic realities on affected families.

The state chairman of the NLC,  Ayuba Suleiman, wrote, “We write to appreciate Your Excellency for the approval and release of N3.1bn for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased retirees.

“This  gesture will serve as an immediate intervention that will alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of our fallen heroes that served our dear state diligently.”

Similarly, the TUC and the NUP praised the governor for being a trailblazer, recalling that as a senator, he had sponsored bills that directly touched the lives of Nigerians.

They noted that it wasn’t therefore surprising  that the governor “has gone ahead to set aside such huge amount of money for the payment of gratuity and death benefits, we the leaders of this great Union appreciate this gesture which will touch the lives of many Pensioners.”

While appreciating and pledging their support to the governor, the unions, however, called for the constitution of the Board of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau to ensure transparency.

“For inclusiveness and to strengthen the judicial utilisation of these funds even in the future, we are advocating for the constitution of the Board of the Bureau in accordance with Section 20 of the Kaduna State Pension Reform (Amended) Law, 2020,” the unions said.