From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Katsina State has described the introduction of a pension scheme as the best option for addressing delays and the non-payment of pensions and gratuities to retired civil servants.
The State President of the union, Nasiru Wada Mai’adua, said the pension scheme would help checkmate corruption in the payment of pensions and gratuities in the state.
Mai’adua made the remarks while leading local government administrators, treasurers, and directors on a visit to the Government House.
He said the government, in collaboration with labour leaders, is working to ensure that the state pension scheme becomes one of the best in the country.
He called on civil servants not to entertain any fear regarding the introduction of the scheme.
The president, who is also the secretary of the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), commended the government for clearing the backlog of promotions at the local government level.
“On behalf of all local government staff and civil servants, we commend the government for implementing policies aimed at improving a conducive working environment,” he said.
Responding, Governor Dikko Umar Radda said his administration is committed to public service reforms aimed at sanitizing the state civil service and improving efficiency.
He added that the state government has upgraded the College of Administration, Funtua, to strengthen the training and retraining of civil servants.
He further stated that capacity-building centres have been established for the training of teachers.
Radda commended local government staff for their dedication to duty and warned them against corruption and absenteeism.