In a landmark move, the Zamfara State Government has successfully cleared a significant N13.6 billion debt in unpaid gratuities owed to retired civil servants, dating back to 2011. This historic step comes as part of Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to improving the welfare of public sector retirees, who had endured years of financial hardship.
On Tuesday, Governor Lawal unveiled the Contributory Pension Implementation Committee after receiving a comprehensive report on the payment of the outstanding gratuities. The payment will benefit over 8,600 retirees, with 3,824 retirees from the state civil service receiving N7.9 billion, and 4,833 retirees from the Unified Local Government Service receiving N5.9 billion.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, Governor Lawal emphasized that clearing the backlog was a defining moment in his two-year administration. He stated, “Our administration inherited over N13 billion in unpaid gratuities for state and local government retirees from 2011 to 2023. The delays inflicted untold hardship, and unfortunately, some pensioners passed away without receiving their dues. May their souls rest in peace.”
Addressing the Backlog with Reform
The Governor expressed his regret over the suffering of retirees and vowed to address the pension payment issue in a sustainable manner. To this end, two committees were formed to review and recommend payment strategies. He added, “Despite the economic and social challenges we met on assumption of office, we prioritized clearing three months of unpaid salaries and allowances.”
In addition to resolving the gratuity backlog, Governor Lawal has overseen several key reforms in Zamfara’s civil service. A significant development has been the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage, a policy that had been neglected by previous administrations. Upon taking office, the Zamfara minimum wage was just N7,000, but by July 2024, Governor Lawal had successfully raised it to N70,000 – a historic increase within two years.
Governor Lawal’s administration has also introduced Sallah bonuses and an end-of-year productivity bonus (13th-month salary) for all civil and public servants, including political office holders. “These are unprecedented steps in Zamfara’s history,” he said, noting that they have helped restore confidence among public workers and rekindled trust in the government.
The Road Ahead: Pension Reforms and Digital Infrastructure
As part of ongoing pension reforms, Governor Lawal inaugurated the Contributory Pension Implementation Committee to oversee the transition to a new pension structure. The committee’s mandate includes reviewing the state’s pension laws in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Zamfara State Pension Commission, and other stakeholders.
In addition, the committee will work with the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) to assess digital infrastructure and provide training for staff. A detailed implementation roadmap for transitioning to a contributory pension scheme will be developed to ensure full compliance with the new system.
Governor Lawal commended the efforts of the initial review committee, stating, “Your efforts have paved the way for meaningful reform in Zamfara’s pension administration.”
Key Takeaways:
- Zamfara clears N13.6 billion in unpaid gratuities for retirees dating back to 2011.
- Over 8,600 retirees benefit from the payment.
- Governor Lawal’s administration has implemented a historic increase in the minimum wage from N7,000 to N70,000.
- New pension reforms are underway, with a focus on digitization and better civil service welfare.
- Governor Lawal’s government is committed to restoring public trust through tangible actions.
