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Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has has approved the sum of N10 billion, to pay the outstanding gratuity of retired civil and public servants in the state.
A statement by Otu’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nsa Gill, on Friday said the governor has equally approved the constitution of a committee of the Executives of State and Local Government Pension Unions under the leadership of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
“The committee is expected to meet with the (SSG) on Monday, July 29, 2024 with a view to working out modalities for the payment of gratuities to retired civil and public officers in Cross River State.
“Recall that the present administration inherited backlog of unpaid gratuities of retirees dating back to 2014. The promise by the present administration to commence payment since last year has been delayed due to necessary steps for audit and verification. So far, the audit and verification exercise has uncovered over 2,000 ghost pensioners, who have consequently been expunged from both the state and local government pensions payrolls.
“With the near completion of the exercise to authenticate genuine pensioners, payment of gratuities will commence in August, 2024.
“The committee led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has one week from the date of their first meeting to submit its report to government,” Gill said.
