The Nasarawa State Government has commenced the disbursement of over N300 million gratuities to 600 retired civil servants in the state.
The Director-General, Nasarawa State Pensions Bureau, Abdullahi Osaze, made the disclosure during the flag-off of the distribution of cheques to the beneficiaries in Lafia, the state capital.
Mr Oseze said the gesture was to assist retirees to get their benefits in order to start a profitable venture that could cater to their family.
According to him, the state government has concluded compilation of names of all retirees in the state and their entitlements.
He said: “The bureau has compiled the names of retirees since the creation of the state which will be considered in phases, beginning from those who retired more than 10 years ago.”
The DG, therefore, called on retirees who were not shortlisted for the first phase of payment to be patient with the state government while waiting for their turn within the availability of funds.
In his remarks, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Musa Obakpa, commended the state government for paying attention to the welfare of retirees in the state.
One of the beneficiaries, Helen Bello, whose husband died in active service over 16 years ago, said the payment of her late husband’s entitlements came to her as a surprise.
“I had given up hope after a long wait,” she said.
