Adamawa Approves N1b for Pensioners
By Dipo Olowookere
Governor Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa State has approved the sum of N1 billion for the payment of pension arrears to pensioners in the state.
This disclosure was made on Monday by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Abdulrahaman Abba–Jimeta.
According to the Chief of Staff, the money was sourced from the Paris Club refund to the state by the Federal Government.
It was gathered that the FG had signed a deal with states to ensure 50 percent the refund is used to offset salary arrears and the other 50 percent for projects.
Business Post learnt that Adamawa State is expected to receive about N12.6 billion as Paris Club refund.
Mr Jimeta said now that N1 billion has been approved by the state government for pensioners, authorities of the state and local government pension boards are expected to compile list of beneficiaries for payment.
Mr Jimeta is the Chairman of the State Committee for the Payment of Outstanding Salary Liabilities.
Commenting on the matter, the Adamawa State branch chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Mr Samson Almuru, commended the state government for approving N1 billion as pension arrears, describing it as a welcome development that would bring succour to the pensioners.
Mr Almuru told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that, “I got the information over the weekend that the state government had approved N1 billion as pension arrears, we are happy to hear that.
“We hope that the about 2,500 retirees from the local governments in the state who had been cleared for many months and were yet to start enjoying their pensions would also benefit from the fund.”