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Ortom admits Benue State is owing pensioners N22bn

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Samuel Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Monday confirmed that the state is owing pensioners a whopping N22 billion as gratuity arrears.

Ortom made the disclosure while inaugurating the chairman and members of the State Pension Commission in Makurdi.

According to him, he inherited N18 billion gratuity liability in 2015, adding that due to lack of funds and additional retired workers over time, the debt had risen to N22 billion.

He further disclosed that the monthly pension bill of the state was now N800 million as against the N400 million bill he inherited in 2015.

The governor said the state needed to urgently commence full domestication of the National Contributory Pensions Scheme Act 2004 to mitigate the sufferings of retirees.

He also commended the 8th State Assembly for passing the pencom bill and expressed optimism that in no distant time retirees would have cause to smile home after retirement.

“The members are all victims of non-payment of gratuities and pensions; so, they understand the pains of not being paid.

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“Benue pensioners have been very patient with me and that has given me a lot of burden on my shoulder to ensure that something is done about it urgently,” he said.

He, however, warned members of the commission to be careful with people who may want to sabotage their efforts with the aim of enriching themselves to the detriment of the pensioners, urging them to bring their experience to bear on the job and block all leakages in the pension sector.

In his response, the Chairman, State Pension Commission, Mr Terna Ahua, pledged to provide a permanent solution to the problem of retirees.

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