By Abubakar Rabilu Gombe
The 11 local government councils in Gombe State are to pay the sum of N4.08 billion in outstanding gratuities to 2,506 retired workers.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna, disclosed this while briefing journalists shortly after the 56th meeting of the Gombe State Executive Council.
He said the council considered a memo on the payment of outstanding gratuities owed to retirees, alongside other liabilities involving local government staff, education workers and employees of local government parastatals.
Haruna explained that the payments would be staggered, with each council settling its obligations according to its financial capacity.
He said the councils had made significant progress in clearing inherited arrears since Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya assumed office, noting that gratuities for 2012–2014 were paid in 2023, while those for 2015 and 2016 were settled in 2024.
According to him, the last batch, covering 2016–2018, was paid in 2025, while the latest phase would address outstanding periods based on the liabilities and financial strength of individual councils.
He said Akko would pay for 2019; Balanga, 2018–2023; Billiri, 2019–2025; and Dukku, 2018–2022.
Kaltungo would cover 2017–2022, while Kwami and Nafada would each settle one year of outstanding gratuity up to 2025. Shongom would cover 2019–2023, while Yamaltu-Deba would pay for 2017 and 2018.
“Local governments are going to be paying the gratuities based on their financial standing,” Haruna said.
He added that the arrangement was part of the state government’s efforts to clear inherited liabilities and improve the welfare of retired local government employees.
