From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Bishir Tanimu Gambo Dutsinma, has said the new pension scheme introduced by the administration of Governor Dikko Radda is not intended to deny retired workers their rights.
He said the scheme was introduced to address delays in the payment of monthly pensions and gratuities.
Gambo spoke in response to concerns raised over the implementation of the scheme during a public hearing on the 2027 budget held at the Katsina State House of Assembly.
He said the government opted for the scheme as the best option to protect the interests of workers after retirement.
According to him, the old system of paying pensions and gratuities was no longer sustainable, adding that it had subjected retired workers to unnecessary hardship.
Gambo assured workers in the state that the government had taken all necessary measures to make the pension scheme effective and called on them not to be apprehensive about its implementation.
“Pension scheme is the best option for sustainability in the payment of pensions and gratuities. The scheme was introduced to address the hardship being faced by workers after retirement,” he said.
Gambo called on labour unions to educate workers on the benefits of the scheme, noting that lack of awareness was creating fear among workers.
He commended Governor Dikko Radda for paying outstanding gratuities amounting to N42 billion.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Lawal H. Yaro, said the public hearing was part of the constitutional responsibility of the legislature and aimed at generating inputs for the successful implementation of the state budget.
He assured stakeholders that the Assembly would consider the contributions made during the hearing in the interest of the state.
Our correspondent reports that the public hearing was attended by members of civil society organisations and senior government officials.
