Gombe Begins N10.32bn Gratuity Payment to 6,665 Retirees

The Gombe State Government has commenced the payment of N10.32 billion in gratuities to 6,665 state and local government retirees.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya disclosed this on Thursday at the official commencement of the sixth tranche of gratuity payments by his administration since 2019.

Yahaya said N6.24 billion had been allocated to 2,354 state government retirees, while N4.08 billion would support the 11 local government councils in settling outstanding gratuities owed 4,311 retirees.

He said the latest intervention followed the administration’s efforts to address a N21 billion gratuity backlog inherited when it assumed office in 2019, covering arrears owed state and local government retirees for various years.

According to him, the administration had paid N33.283 billion in gratuities before the latest disbursement, bringing cumulative gratuity payments since 2019 to N44.134 billion.

Yahaya said the latest payment had cleared the state government’s outstanding gratuity obligations up to December 2025, while gratuities accruing from January 2026 would be paid early in 2027.

He said the administration was also working towards establishing a sustainable mechanism to prevent future accumulation of gratuity arrears, including consideration of a contributory pension arrangement or other financing options.

The governor also announced N299 million for the payment of gratuities owed former employees of the Gombe Investment and Property Development Company following the dissolution of the company and establishment of the Gombe State Investment Promotion Agency.

He added that approval had been given for the settlement of outstanding gratuities owed former local government chairmen and councillors from the previous administration to date.

Yahaya said the state had also implemented the new minimum wage for state and local government workers, as well as CONMESS and CONHESS for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

He said salaries and pensions had been paid promptly throughout his tenure, despite economic challenges, adding that the administration had employed 1,000 teachers, more than 440 health workers and other personnel to meet staffing needs.

The governor said the clearing of the inherited gratuity backlog had placed the state in a stronger position to undertake future recruitment based on the actual needs of the public service and economy.

He appealed to retirees, civil servants and organised labour to reciprocate the government’s support through renewed commitment to the development of the state.