FG promises to settle 20-year backlog of workers’ entitlements

The Federal Government has pledged to fully settle the entitlements of workers who were disengaged over the last two decades. This assurance comes as a verification exercise is being conducted in Gombe State for former employees in the North-East region who reportedly received underpayments or did not get their complete allowances and benefits.

Dr. Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), stated that the ongoing exercise aims to identify all legitimate claims and ensure that every entitled individual receives their due payment. "This is the final verification exercise, we want to bring this matter to an end, and ensure that everyone who works and is entitled to payment receives his or her full entitlement," Arabi said. He confirmed that President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned this final verification process to resolve the remaining claims and complaints.

The BPSR is collaborating with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Auditor-General for the Federation, and anti-corruption agencies to meticulously verify records and ensure payments go only to genuine beneficiaries. Arabi noted that over 99 percent of past cases concerning unpaid entitlements have already been resolved. The exercise also addresses claims on behalf of deceased beneficiaries, pursued by their relatives or legal heirs.

Some former workers are also seeking a review of their pensions, arguing that their retirement benefits do not accurately reflect their years of service and final salary grades. Mr. Yusuf Adamu, Chairman of Retirees at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, highlighted that some workers who served for approximately 22 years under different salary structures before transitioning to a new one did not have their pension issues properly resolved, despite some outstanding payments being made. He urged the government to review these cases to ensure pensions are calculated based on service years and the salary structure at retirement.

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This is the final verification exercise, we want to bring this matter to an end, and ensure that everyone who works and is entitled to payment receives his or her full entitlement.