In a bid to address the long-standing issue of outstanding gratuities for retirees in Cross River State, the government has announced a plan to clear the debts owed to retirees who exited service between January 2009 and December 2015.

The move is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in the disbursement of gratuities.

According to a press release issued by the government, the current gratuity debt stands at a staggering N45 billion, accumulated from past administrations.

However, the government has allocated N10 billion for the initial disbursement, which will cover retirees from both the state and local government schemes.

The government has established a committee to oversee the disbursement of gratuities, which will ensure that the process is transparent and fair.

The committee has announced that a verification exercise will commence soon to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive their gratuities.

Retirees who exited service between 2009 and 2015 are advised to prepare for the verification exercise, which will be announced soon. Only those who retired and completed documentation during this period will be considered in this first cycle of payment.

The government has assured that verified retirees will receive their gratuities within 48 hours after verification by the joint team of organized labor and government. Beneficiaries are advised to cross-check their bank details and other particulars to avoid failed payments or errors.

The government’s commitment to clearing outstanding gratuities is a welcome development for retirees who have been waiting for years to receive their entitlements. The move is expected to bring relief to thousands of retirees who have been struggling to make ends meet.

The government has assured that it is committed to fully discharging its obligations to all retirees and aims to complete this round of disbursements before the end of August 2024.

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