Kano State Government has paid N9.2 billion to 5,388 pensioners as their outstanding retirement benefits inherited from the previous administration.

The government said the gesture was part of a commitment to improving the welfare of its teeming pensioners.

In a report by by Daily Nigerian, The State Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna, on Tuesday disclosed this during the inauguration of an eight-member committee constituted to oversee payment of the outstanding retirement benefits for pensioners in the state.

Mr Gawuna explained that the administration of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had successfully sustained the payment of monthly pension to the tune of over N1.2 billion to pensioners across the State.

He added that the governor has placed much regard on the committee to be inaugurated in order to address problems faced by the pensioners.

He further disclosed that the committee was constituted to ensure speedy payment of outstanding retirement benefits covering gratuity, pension arrears and death benefits.

According to Mr Gawuna, the committee comprised of experts of high integrity, urging them to screen eligible beneficiaries and ensure payment of their retirement benefits through their bank accounts.

The Deputy Governor further requested the committee to ensure that next of kin of dead pensioners present relevant documents through a court of law for screening and payment of their pensions.

He then solicited for understanding and cooperation of all pensioners, as well as stakeholders towards complementing the efforts of the Committee members in discharging their assigned responsibilities.

Members of the committee include; Amina Musa, Permanent Secretary Establishment Office of the Head of Civil Service as Chair Person, Uwa Makama, Permanent Secretary Pension Fund Trustees as a member.

Others include Kabiru Ado Minjibir, Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Kano Chapter, Salisu Ahmed Gwale, Chairman Nigeria Union of Pensioners Kano Branch, Hambali Abubakar, Chairman Nigeria Union of Teachers Kano Wing and Isma’ila Musa, Director Final Account, Kano State Ministry of Finance.

The rest were Mairo Tanko from the State Audit, as a member while Musa Tanko, Director State Pension Fund Trustees, serves as Secretary of the committee.

Responding the Chair Person of the Committee, Mrs Musa extended their appreciation to Ganduje for finding them worthy of the assignment, noting that, that is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment and concern for the welfare of pensioners.

She then reiterated their commitment to ensuring judicious use of the pension funds.

The Committee would submit its report within a week after payment of the benefit.