The Niger government says it will require more than N30 billion to pay the arrears of gratuities of retired civil servants in the state.
Gov. Abubakar Bello of the state said this at the annual general meeting of the association of the Retired Niger State Head Of Service and Permanent Secretaries in Minna on Thursday.
Represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Matane, Secretary to the State Government and a retired Head of Service, assured the public that government would give priority to benefits of retirees by making efforts to pay 100 per cent retirement benefits to the retired workers.
“Efforts are in progress to turn around the current challenges facing the retirees in Niger.” he said.
The governor urged the be heads of service and permanent secretaries to assist in the process of revatalisation of the state civil service for optimal results.
He emphasised the need to restore discipline and reactivation of mentorship within the state civil service.
Also, Alhaji Muhammad Madugu, Chairman of the association, said that the theme of the meeting –“Reinvigorating the State Civil Service for Attaining Sustainable Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” — was timely to restore core values, discipline, competence and motivation in the system.
Madugu stated that there ought to need to ensure the complete welfare of the civil service for effective and efficient service delivery.
“The civil servants ensure the implementation of government policies, programmes and activities, hence their complete welfare was paramount for effective and efficient service delivery,” he said.
He said that due processes must be followed to ensure sanity in the entire system.
The chairman further told the state government to look into the policy of ensuring the short and long-term training for workers towards effective and efficient service delivery.
He urged the government to provide houses for civil servants within five years of employment and vehicle in three years of employment.
Earlier, Alhaji Kadi Kuta, the Organising Chairman of the meeting, said that no fewer than 140 members had registered with the association.
NAN
