Retired civil servants in Taraba State have urged Governor Agbu Kefas to expedite action in clearing decade-long backlog in gratuity payments.
A retired official of the Ministry of Co-operatives and Poverty Alleviation, Bakari Muhammed Tukur, made the call during a press conference in Jalingo on Wednesday.
Tukur emphasized the urgency of addressing the dire situation faced by pensioners in the state.
Citing health challenges and sudden deaths among pensioners, he urged the governor to, as a matter of urgency, come to their rescue.
Tukur also called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to swiftly resolve the leadership tussle within the Union of Pensioners in the state.
Expressing confidence in Kefas’ administration, he appealed for concerted efforts in clearing the outstanding gratuity arrears spanning over a decade.
This, he believes, will alleviate financial burdens on those who dedicated years of service to the state.
Highlighting the hardships faced by Taraba pensioners after retirement, Tukur highlighted issues such as delayed gratuity and pension payments, inadequate healthcare support, and challenges in financing their children’s education.
He also stressed the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure a dignified and comfortable life for Taraba pensioners.
