Gombe commences verification of pensioners

The Gombe State government yesterday inaugurated two committees to find out the actual number of  pensioners on the payrolls of the state and local government.
Inaugurating the committees, the state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Ahmed Usman, said the appointment of the members was based on merit.
He said the committees were set up to establish a correct database of pensioners as well as the amount owed   the retirees.  He said the committees are to ensure physical appearance of retirees and next of kin of deceased persons who are yet to be paid their gratuities.
Usman said the biometric verification is a modern and more effective mechanism for determining the correct liability of pensioners in the state.
“It is the intention of the state government to commence payment of authenticated gratuities within the limit of available resources”, he said.
He charged the committees to produce list of authentic retirees as well make recommendations to government on how to ensure regular payment of retirement benefits.
He added that a consultant who will be handling the biometrics aspect of the assignment is ready to commence work and that the committees have four weeks to complete the assignment.
Responding on behalf of the two committees, Dr. Garba Mohammed Bajoga, assured that they will justify the confidence repose on them through hard work and they will be fair to all.