CRSG To Commence Gratuities Payment In August As Otu approves N10 Billion
By Ebi COLLINS
Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Otu has approved the sum of 10 Billion Naira to address the outstanding payment of gratuities of retired Civil and Public Servants in the State, with the exercise bill to begin in August this year.
A release signed by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, dated July 26, also stated that Governor Otu has equally approved the constitution of a Committee of the Executives of State and Local Government Pension Unions under the headship of the Secretary to the State Government.
"The Committee is expected to meet with the Secretary to the State Govemment (SSG) on Monday, 29 July, 2024 with a view to working out modalities for the payment of gratuitles to retired Civil and Public Officers in Cross River State," the release noted.
"Recall that the present administration inherited backlog of unpaid gratuities of retirees dating back to the year 2014. The promise by the present administration to commence payment since last year has been delayed due to necessary steps for audit and verification.
"So far, the audit and verification exercise has uncovered over 2,000 (Two Thousand) ghost pensioners, who have consequently been expunged from both the State and Local Government Pensions Payrolls.
"With the near completion of the exercise to authenticate genuine pensioners, payment of gratuities will commence in August, 2024.
"The Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) has one week from the date of their first meeting to submit its report to Government," the release concluded.
