By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi APC Youth Ambassadors has welcomed the announcement by the Bauchi State Government of its proposed allocation of N10 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuity arrears owed to retired civil servants.
The coordinator of the group, Prince Mohammed Sani Hassan, stated this yesterday while speaking with journalists, describing the development as an important step towards addressing the prolonged hardship faced by pensioners and retired civil servants awaiting their legitimate entitlements.
CW reports that Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, recently announced that his administration would release N10 billion towards the payment of outstanding gratuity arrears owed to pensioners in the state.
The Governor described the allocation as the beginning of efforts to clear the accumulated debt, adding that if his administration is unable to settle the entire outstanding balance before the end of its tenure, he hopes the incoming administration will continue from where it stops and ensure that the remaining arrears are paid.
But, Bauchi APC Youth Ambassadors said many retirees had endured years of financial difficulties as a result of unpaid gratuities, while some had unfortunately died without receiving the benefits they earned after years of dedicated service to the state.
Hassan, however, stressed that pensioners needed actual payment of their entitlements rather than repeated announcements.
"Pensioners need payment, not just announcements," he said.
The APC Youth Ambassadors therefore called on the state government to provide clear and verifiable information on the proposed N10 billion allocation, including the exact date payment would commence, the number and categories of beneficiaries, and the specific years of gratuity arrears to be covered.
The group also demanded disclosure of the state’s total outstanding gratuity liability, the mechanism to be used in identifying and paying beneficiaries, as well as the government’s long-term plan for clearing the remaining backlog.
"We also urge that the payment of pensioners’ entitlements must not be politicised or used as a campaign instrument. Gratuity is not a political favour; it is a legitimate entitlement earned through years of service," Hassan said.
He called on relevant government institutions, pensioners’ associations, labour unions, civil society organisations and the media to monitor the process and ensure that every naira allocated for the exercise reaches the rightful beneficiaries.
Hassan said the group’s demand for transparency and accountability should not be interpreted as political hostility, stressing that citizens and political groups had a responsibility to demand accountability whenever public resources and citizens’ welfare were involved.
"The Bauchi APC Youth Ambassadors have pensioners and retired civil servants at heart. We will continue to stand with them, speak for them and support their legitimate demands.
"We will also continue to advocate for the payment of their outstanding entitlements because we recognise their sacrifices and the years they devoted to serving Bauchi State," he said.
The group also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as bold and transformative economic reforms, saying the policies were aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economy, improving fiscal sustainability, increasing public revenue and creating greater financial capacity for the federal, state and local governments.
It urged the Bauchi state government to ensure that resources available to the state translate into improved welfare for citizens, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, employment opportunities and, most importantly, the timely payment of workers’ and pensioners’ entitlements.
Hassan acknowledged that the federal government’s reforms had required difficult decisions and adjustments, but maintained that their success should ultimately be measured by their impact on the living conditions of Nigerians and the capacity of governments at all levels to meet their obligations to citizens.
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