From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
In a bid to pay compensations to relations of senior citizens who served the state meritoriously in the civil service; the administration of Governor Simon Lalong has set up a 25-man committee to assess data of retirees and those who died in service of the state, to enable government pay their benefits and gratuity of retirees.
In a press statement by the Ministry of Finance in the state, endorsed by the Permanent Secretary, Sani Yahaya, made available to news men in Jos, Plateau State, it tasked the committee to ensure that the entire state is captured.
According to the permanent secretary, the data of the dead whose benefits are yet to be paid to their next-of-kin should not be left out.
The statement announced commencement of the verification of the data of the affected persons, calling on it to be duly assessed.
The statement reads in part: “In furtherance of the determination of the administration of Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong to settle Pension Liabilities, government has resolved to issue promissory notes for the settlement of Pension Arrears, Gratuity and Death Benefits of the State Pensioners.
Consequently, Government has constituted a 27-Man Committee to carry out advocacy and sensitisation of the state pensioners in the three Senatorial Zones of the State.
The schedule indicates that the Northern Zone will be visited variously at the local pension union offices from 19 January, 2021 at Barkin Ladi, 20 January, 2021 at Jos South and Bassam and 21 January, 2021 for Jos East and Jos North.
Central Zone will include visits from 19 January, 2021 at Bokkos and Mangu: 20 January 2021 will be the turn of Pankshin and Kanke while 21 January, 2021 is for Kanam.
Southern Zone also commences from 19 January, 2021 at Qua’an-Pan and Shendam as 20 January, 2021 will be the turn of Langtang South and Mikang with Langtang North and Wase concluding on the 21 January, 2020.
