By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South, Dayo Johnson, Victor Ahiuma-Young, Vincent Ujumadu, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Sam Oyadongha, Festus Ahon, Umar Yusuf, Ndahi Marama, Dennis Agbo, Peter Duru, Demola Akinyemi,Wole Mosadomi, Marie-Therese Nanlong, Egufe Yafugborhi, Emma Una, Chioma Onuegbu, Ozioruva Aliu, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Ibrahim Hassan Wuyo, Peter Okutu, Steve Oko, Chinonso Alozie, Haruna Aliyu, Bashir Bello, Charles Agwam, Abdulmumin Murtala, David Odama, Musa Ubandawaki, Femi Bolaji, Shina Abubakar, Deola Badru & James Ogunnaike, Asaba
…34 states owe backlog of gratuities, l27 burdened by unpaid pensions, l13 owe salaries…We’re doing our greatest to clear them -State govts
No fewer than 34 outgoing, returning, and sitting governors are leaving an enormous burden of unpaid gratuities, whereas 27 of them are being choked by unpaid multi-billion pension arrears.
Similarly, 13 states are burdened with a backlog of wage arrears and different unpaid advantages to their workers.
Investigations by Vanguard revealed that 4 states within the South-East, 4 within the South-West, and 5 Northern states owe employees salaries.
On pensions, 5 states within the South-West, 5 within the South-East, 15 within the North, and two within the South-South owe their retirees a backlog of accrued pensions.
In the identical vein, solely about three states nationwide are believed to not owe gratuity to their pensioners.
Akeredolu’s intervention in Ondo
In Ondo State, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who will end his second time period, subsequent yr, met a backlog of seven months’ wage arrears and has paid six, remaining of January 2017 and two months for native authorities employees.
Ondo State employees are owed N27 billion as gratuities whereas native authorities employees are owed N36 billion.
The state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Victor Amoko, instructed Vanguard that “a particular intervention by the governor was prolonged to handle the large excellent arrears of gratuities being owed retirees from 2011 to 2023 with the discharge of N300 million to pay the gratuities on month-to-month foundation.
Amoko stated the gratuities had been paid up until 2014.
Oyebanji inherits N40bn unpaid gratuities in Ekiti
Similarly, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who started his first time period final yr, in Ekiti State, inherited from his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, three months’ wage arrears for state civil servants, and 4 months’ wage arrears for native authorities employees.
Retirees had been owed seven months’ pensions and unpaid N40 billion in gratuities.
However, Oyebanji has defrayed the arrears to at least one month for state civil servants and two months for the native authorities employees and paid three months’ arrears of pensions.
The State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Joel Akinola, put the full gratuities at over N40 billion since August 13, 2013, noting that the Governor launched N500 million for state pensioners, and N138 million for native authorities pensioners, that are being disbursed to the beneficiaries.
Akinola stated that “Governor Oyebanji has accredited a tranche of N700 million to offset a part of the gratuities for state pensioners and N250 million to offset a part of the native authorities pensioners.
Ogun owes 18 months’ wage deductions
In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun owes civil servants 18 months’ wage deductions similar to Union dues, cooperative deductions, and pension (Contributory Pension Scheme).
The State Secretary of NUP, Mr Bola Lawal, stated out of N68 billion that Governor Abiodun inherited from Ibikunle Amosun’s authorities, he has paid N3.6 billion.
Adeleke battles N76bn arrears in Osun
The accrued wage arrears and pensions that Governor Ademola Adeleke, who took over from Gboyega Oyetola, in Osun, final November, is owing serving and retired employees are put at N76billion.
However, the gratuity owed to non-contributory pensioners shouldn’t be clear but because the Ministry in cost has not made the quantity public.
Pensions, gratuities final paid in 2015 in Oyo
Returning Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State doesn’t owe employees in each the state and native governments companies.
However, the state NLC chairman, Kayode Matins, stated pensions and gratuities had been final paid by the state authorities in 2015.
According to him, “l would have loved to give you the details, but I don’t have access to the files now to give the accurate figure of the outstanding pensions and gratuities.”
Lagos employees demand pension entitlements since 2020
In Lagos, whereas officers of the state authorities stated the federal government owes no wage, pension, or gratuity, the chairman of Lagos State Council of NLC, Funmi Sessi, final May Day, stated: “We want to acknowledge and respect the development you (Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu) caused within the month-to-month bond allocation because the inception of your administration in 2019 and the April 2023 for fee of N5 Billion to 1,800 retirees in Lagos State.
“We also demand immediate payment of all the backlog of pensions entitlement (bond) from 2020 till date.”
Gratuities, pension burden in S/South
All the six state governments within the South-South zone have been constant within the fee of month-to-month salaries to employees however none is updated within the fee of gratuities and pensions to retired employees, besides Akwa-Ibom which additionally pays pensions month-to-month.
Government officers had been, nonetheless, hesitant to disclose the full determine, particularly gratuities the totally different states owe employees, which had piled up through the years.
N7bn gratuities unpaid in Akwa Ibom
In Akwa Ibom State, the rapid previous Governor, Udom Emmanuel, didn’t owe employees month-to-month salaries and pensions.
He inherited N18 billion in unpaid gratuities and cleared N11 billion, leaving N7 billion, which his successor will cope with.
In Bayelsa, Governor Douye Diri, who’s in search of a second time period on November 11, 2023, pays employees their salaries and pensioners month-to-month.
However, there’s a backlog of unpaid gratuities from the time of Timipre Sylva and Senator Seriake Dickson’s administrations. Dickson, now a Senator, promised to pay gratuities earlier than a employee disengages from service however solely launched between N250 million to N300 million for 3 months earlier than he left workplace.
Things solely modified with Diri, who promised to launch N200 million month-to-month for fee of gratuities, and just lately, elevated it to N1 billion to clear the backlog relationship again to 2007/2008.
As of date, his administration has reportedly cleared as much as 2013.
Obaseki strikes to clear the burden in Edo
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who leaves workplace subsequent yr, pays employees their salaries month-to-month. He inherited an enormous backlog of pensions and gratuities from the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration.
The Chairman of Edo NUP, C. Pullen Noruwa, revealed: “He accredited in 2022 May Day celebration the fee of gratuities to state pensioners from 2012 till date and the native authorities pensioners from 2008 till date. There goes to be a month-to-month launch of N200 million and the fee will begin from July 1, this yr.
“The Head of Service will set up a committee to ensure that they pay according to the year of retirement. If they pay this gratuity, it will only remain a consequential change, which is because of the N30,000 minimum wage for workers. The governor has actually tried.”
Gratuity burden stays in Rivers
Payment of salaries to employees in Rivers State has been common beneath the rapid previous governor, Nyesom Wike, however opposite to gratuities and pensions which he allegedly dedicated N3 billion month-to-month.
Chairman of the NLC, Alex Agwanwor, declined feedback on the matter.
However, a high civil servant, who simply retired, stated: “Salaries have been regular but they staggered pension payment in the guise of biometric capture of pensioners. So those not yet captured have not benefited. However, it is on gratuities that Governor Wike has not done well. Many retirees have not received gratuities years after retirement, some even before the governor came into office.”
Gratuity yoke persists in C- River
Cross River State’s rapid previous governor, Senator Ben Ayade, has been paying salaries and pensions to each civil servants and political appointees.
Sometimes, employees and appointees obtain their wage alerts twice a month. This is through the Christmas season and May Day.
What, nonetheless, has been a problem of concern is the fee of gratuities working into billions of naira. Workers that retired since 2014 are but to get their terminal advantages.
The employees’ unions, significantly the NLC, have been preventing a spirited battle with the governor over the excellent funds.
Okowa leaves N24.9b pension in Delta
In Delta State, the departed administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa paid employees’ wage promptly on a month-to-month foundation.
As for pensions and gratuity, his authorities is indebted to employees however has tried to cut back its burden by spending N1.5 billion month-to-month on servicing pension liabilities.
Sometime final yr, the state authorities disbursed N10 billion in two tranches to pay state and native authorities pensioners. The abstract of excellent accrued rights and harmonisation distinction as of April 31, 2023, is N24.9 billion.
Enugu owes 3yrs of minimal wage arrears
In Enugu, because the eight years administration of the rapid previous Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, left the civil servants within the state, significantly these within the state parastatals, with a minimum of three years arrears of minimal wage which its implementation within the state commenced three years after the Federal Government and different states started its implementation.
National Vice Chairman of Trade Union Congress and the Enugu State chairman of Senior Civil Service Union, Chuks Igbokwe instructed Vanguard that whereas the backlog of the minimal wage arrears has been foreclosed, the state authorities can also be owing pensioners of native authorities and first college academics pension arrears of a minimum of three years.
Tales of woes in Abia
In Abia State, employees will bear in mind the administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu because the worst up to now within the historical past of the state by way of wage arrears as docs within the State University Teaching Hospital Aba, ABSUTH, are owed 24 months; their counterparts at Hospital Management Board, HMB, are owed 13 months; secondary college academics are owed 11 months whereas major college academics are owed three months.
Others, in keeping with a latest assertion by the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, embrace 29 months for employees in Abia State College of Education; employees of Abia College of Health Sciences not paid 5 months arrears; Abia pensioners haven’t been paid their gratuity for the previous 15 years whereas their pension arrears are over 48 months.
Lamenting the state of affairs, Secretary, of Concerned Abia Pensioners, Chief C. U Okezie, stated retirees now not speak of gratuities however their month-to-month pension to not less than purchase medicine and keep alive.
Soludo owes N14bn pension in Anambra
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State owes N14 billion for pensions and gratuity. However, he has pledged to liquidate them regularly.
Since he assumed workplace, he has constantly been paying gratuity to all those that retire throughout his regime, whereas additionally selecting from the backlog of those that retired earlier than he grew to become governor.
Imo owes arrears from 2020
In Imo State, the NLC Chairman Caretaker Committee, George Ofoegbu, knowledgeable that the Imo State authorities owes salaries, pensions, and gratuities from 2020.
Most affected, in keeping with him, are members of the Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE.
However, Basil Iwu, chief of NLC, backed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, who’s standing for re-election on November 11, 2023, is of a distinct view, as he recommended the governor for immediate fee of salaries, and pensions.
However, spokesman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, in Imo State, Sam Iheakanwa, stated, “Not all pensioners have been captured into the payment system. Some are still owed. But we are still waiting for all of them to be captured before we talk of arrears owed.”
Umahi leaves a backlog of pensions, gratuities in Ebonyi
The Chairman of NLC in Ebonyi State, Oguguo Egwu, stated the rapid previous authorities of Engr Dave Umahi left an enormous backlog of unpaid pension, gratuities, and wage arrears for the incoming administration within the state.
“I do not have specific details but there is a backlog of pensions, gratuities, and salary arrears which the outgoing regime is trying to address.”
Chairman of SSANU, Ebonyi State, Mr. Odigbo N. stated: “The government owes pension and gratuities in EBSU. Workers are being owed. For salaries, we have been paid till March 2023. ”
Benue owes 74 months of pensions
In Benue, as Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration exited on May 29, the state authorities is owing pensioners 34 months of entitlements on the state stage, and 74 months on the native authorities stage, which had been accrued by successive governments through the years.
The authorities may also be abandoning between 4 and 5 months of unpaid wages accrued through the 2017 financial recession. Though employees haven’t been paid for about 4 months within the yr 2023 resulting from supposed garnishee orders by the courts, the federal government could treatment the state of affairs earlier than its terminal date.
Niger owing N16bn gratuities
In Niger State, the rapid previous Governor Abubakar Bello shouldn’t be owing civil servants each on the state and native authorities areas of salaries.
But he left a backlog of unpaid gratuities for the incoming authorities to settle.
It was gathered that the federal government will go away between N14 billion and N16 billion.
Last yr, the state chairman of NLC who’s now the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, declared on the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, State Executive assembly that the state authorities was owing pensioners within the state N50 billion and vowed to combat via “constitutional means” for the fee to be effected.
Huge backlog in Bauchi
In Bauchi State, the federal government of re-elected Bala Mohammed has applied the consequential adjustment on the minimal wage of N30,000 for civil servants throughout all cadres and pensioners since December 2020.
However, employees and pensioners have complained in regards to the staggered wage and pension funds after a screening train by the federal government to weed out ghost employees in 2019.
Furthermore, there’s a backlog of unpaid gratuities and demise advantages that had lingered since 2011.
In December 2020 the governor launched about N400 million to offset a part of the gratuity and demise advantages.
Adamawa owes N3bn in gratuities, pension
Adamawa State is indebted to pensioners to the tune N3billion by way of gratuity and pensions
But, the federal government of re-elected Ahmadu Fintiri, was fast to clear the air that the backlog of the indebtedness was incurred by successive governments since 2012.
This is even because the State Pensioners Association claimed that the unpaid pensions and gratuity, together with retired native authorities workers run into N4 billion.
The affiliation added that no fewer than 20 of its members die because of their incapability to bear the financial crunch.
Katsina owes N10bn in gratuities
In Katsina, the rapid previous Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s authorities left a backlog of unpaid gratuities for the incoming authorities.
According to the Katsina NLC Chairman, Hussaini Hamisu, the backlog of gratuities consists of these of retirees from 2019 so far.
It was gathered that the unpaid gratuities are usually not lower than N10 billion.
Ganduje leaves N40bn gratuities in Kano
As Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led administration got here to an finish on May 29, the state authorities left behind a backlog of over N40 billion in unpaid gratuities for the incoming authorities.
The unpaid gratuities from 2006 so far comprise the tenures of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the current administration of Dr. Ganduje.
Ishaku leaves unpaid six months’ salaries in Taraba
In Taraba State, the rapid previous authorities of Governor Darius Ishaku is leaving six months and 5 months of native authorities employees and first college academics’ salaries
The state NLC Chairman, Peter Jediel, stated the N30,000 minimal wage can also be but to be applied.
He additionally lamented that gratuities are nonetheless being owed whereas some retirees are but to be included within the state pension scheme.
“Also, there is a backlog of gratuities for retirees in the state from 2015 and inability to capture over 1000 retirees into the monthly pension,” he added.
Zulum’s intervention in Borno
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno inherited a backlog of salaries, pensions, and gratuities working into billions of Naira upon assumption of workplace.
Worried by the state of affairs, Zulum, in 2020, obtained a N12 billion mortgage to settle a few of these gratuities owed to 4,862 retirees who left the state and native authorities civil service from 2013 to 2017.
This was a follow-up to the N3 Billion earlier launched by the federal government in September 2019, to clear the gratuities of 1,684 retirees who left the civil service between 2013 to 2019.
But the Chairman of NLC within the state, Yusuf Inuwa, lamented that the staggered mode of gratuity funds has resulted within the non-payment of gratuities to some beneficiaries from 2012 to 2017 and past.
Huge backlog on the Plateau
The rapid previous authorities in Plateau State is leaving a backlog of unpaid salaries and gratuities for the incoming authorities.
The February 2023 salaries had been paid to some workers simply over per week in the past whereas others are but to be paid theirs.
Gratuities haven’t been paid since 2010, the State Chairman of Pensioner, Mr. Ben Bello, confirmed.
Governor Simon Lalong, who accomplished his second time period on May 29, had on May Day, promised that the backlog of salaries can be cleared earlier than he exits workplace.
Again, the State Head of Service, Sunday Hyat, instructed Vanguard: “The authorities defaulted within the fee of some months’ salaries however efforts are on to handle that.
The March and April salaries shall be paid as promised.
For the gratuities, there was an settlement with the United Capital however it was delayed as a result of the House of Assembly had not signed the required paperwork.
Sokoto saddled with 7 years of gratuities
Immediate previous Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State is leaving amongst others not lower than seven years of unpaid gratuities for the incoming authorities that runs into billions of Naira.
The current administration solely paid civil servants that retired in 2015 the quantity it inherited as a legal responsibility.
Retirees complained that the governor has been paying his political associates who both retire or withdraw their companies after his get together the PDP was defeated within the final basic election abandoning the accrued gratuity of civil servants who retired seven years in the past.
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Yobe accumulates gratuities
In Yobe State, Vanguard gathered that the federal government of Mai Mala Buni, who simply received his re-election, is updated with wage and pension funds.
But the governor has accrued unpaid gratuities for not lower than 5 months weighing his authorities down.
Outstanding backlogs in Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government, in keeping with the state NLC, “has solely partially applied the N30,000 minimal wage for core civil servants with out implementation for native authorities workers.
“Similarly, the federal government owes two months’ wage arrears to state employees. That is March and April.
“For pension, the payment has been staggered with several pensioners owed many months of arrears. The worst of all is gratuities which the government (of Bello Mattawale, who lost his re-election bid in the last poll), has not paid since assumption of office.”
Nasarawa owes N42bn gratuities
In Nasarawa State, the federal government of Governor Abdullahi Sule, who simply received a second time period, has unpaid gratuities of about N42billion.
The authorities, nonetheless, pays wage and pensions commonly.
Backlog of unpaid gratuity in Kwara
Similarly, returning Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman of Kwara State is updated in wage and pensions however has a backlog of gratuities.
His Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, knowledgeable that “the government is releasing an average of N100 million monthly to offset arrears of gratuities that date back to 2010/2011.”
However, the state chairman of NUP, Saidu Oladimeji differed, saying: “I can tell you for free that from 2012 till, date some categories of pensioners are still being owed gratuity.”
The Jigawa instance
While it was gathered that the Jigawa State authorities paid pensioners their pensions on May 5, 2023, and employees’ salaries are updated, there’s, nonetheless, no details about gratuities.
No backlog in Kaduna
In Kaduna, the place Governor Nasir el-Rufai will end his second time period on May 29, the state authorities shouldn’t be owing pensioners and employees their pensions and salaries because it pays as when due.
Special Adviser to the Kaduna State Governor on Media and Publicity, Muyiwa Adekeye, said that the “Kaduna State Government consistently discharges its obligations to its workers and retirees. It does not owe salaries or pensions.”
Backlog of gratuities choking Gombe
In Gombe, returning Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State is claimed to be updated with wage and pension funds.
The management of NLC within the state stated the governor has been grappling with accrued gratuity arrears that date again to 2014. It was gathered that the governor has cleared as much as 2017 backlog of unpaid gratuities.
Kogi battling inherited unpaid gratuities
According to the state chairman of NLC in Kogi State, Amari Gabriel, “Governor Yahaya Bello doesn’t owe wage or pension to employees or pensioners within the state.
“For gratuities, you know every state government across the country is battling with a backlog and accumulated gratuity arrears. It is not different in Kogi State. I know the governor has been making a frantic effort to clear the backlog of inherited gratuities. I do not have the actual figure now which can only be gotten from the Pension bureau”.
Bagudu leaves on a clear slate in Kebbi
The rapid previous Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State will go down within the historical past of the state as the one governor who by no means owed employees salaries and offset the backlog of gratuities he inherited from his predecessor.
This was disclosed by his particular adviser on media Malam Yahya Sarkin, who stated that even through the COVID-19 lockdown when some governors had been paying civil servants half salaries Bagudu paid full salaries.
The solely pending fee is just a few who retired on the tail finish of Bagudu’s authorities which continues to be being compiled and present process verifications.
Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South, Dayo Johnson, Victor Ahiuma-Young, Vincent Ujumadu, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Sam Oyadongha, Festus Ahon, Umar Yusuf, Ndahi Marama, Dennis Agbo, Peter Duru, Demola Akinyemi,Wole Mosadomi, Marie-Therese Nanlong, Egufe Yafugborhi, Emma Una, Chioma Onuegbu, Ozioruva Aliu, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Ibrahim Hassan Wuyo, Peter Okutu, Steve Oko, Chinonso Alozie, Haruna Aliyu, Bashir Bello, Charles Agwam, Abdulmumin Murtala, David Odama, Musa Ubandawaki, Femi Bolaji, Shina Abubakar, Deola Badru & James Ogunnaike, Asaba
