The Cross River state governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, has approved ten billion naira in the first phase for the payment of outstanding gratuities to retired Civil and Public servants in the state.

According to a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Nsa Gill, and made available to newsmen, over 2000 ghost pensioners were discovered and expunged from both state and Local government payrolls.

“Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has approved the sum of N10 Billion Naira only to address the outstanding payment of Gratuity for retired Civil and Public Servants in the State.

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“The Committee is expected to meet with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on Monday, 29 July 2024, with a view to working out modalities for the payment of gratuities to retired Civil and Public Officers in Cross River State,” he stated.

Recall that the present administration inherited a backlog of unpaid gratuities of retirees dating back to 2014.

According to the release, the promise by the present administration to commence payment since last year has been delayed due to necessary steps for audit and verification.

“So far, the audit and verification exercise has uncovered over 2,000 (Two Thousand) ghost pensioners, who have consequently been expunged from both the State and Local Government Pensions Payrolls.

“With the near completion of the exercise to authenticate genuine pensioners, payment of gratuities will commence in August 2024.