The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Ambassadors, Bauchi State chapter, has cautioned the State Government against turning the proposed N10 billion gratuity payment into a political campaign tool.
The Youth group insisted that retirees’ entitlements must be paid transparently and without partisan considerations, stressing that the N10 billion allocation is an important development given years of hardship endured by pensioners, some of whom it noted died while waiting for their benefits.
A statement by its Coordinator, Prince Mohammed Sani Hassan, welcomed the government’s plan to clear outstanding gratuity arrears owed retired civil servants, but said announcements alone were not enough.
According to Hassan; “Pensioners need payment, not just announcements. “Gratuity is not a political favour. It is a legitimate entitlement earned through years of service.”
The Youth Ambassadors said as a means of avoiding misuse of the fund, the government should publish clear and verifiable details before disbursement begins.
It further urged the government to state the exact date payment will commence, number and categories of beneficiaries, years of arrears to be covered, the state’s total outstanding gratuity liability, the mechanism for identifying and paying beneficiaries, and the long-term plan for clearing the remaining backlog.
The Youth Ambassadors further said; “We also urge that the payment of pensioners’ entitlements must not be politicised or used as a campaign instrument”.
It called on pensioners’ associations, labour unions, civil society organisations and the media to monitor the process to ensure accountability.
“Our demand for transparency is not political hostility. It is our responsibility as concerned citizens and supporters of the APC to demand accountability wherever public resources and the welfare of citizens are involved,” Hassan stated.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as “bold economic reforms” aimed at improving fiscal capacity at all levels of government, the group urged the Bauchi government to ensure that available resources translate into welfare, infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment and timely payment of workers and pensioners.
According to Hassan; “Our message on the N10 billion gratuity allocation is simple: Move from announcement to implementation. From promises to payment. From political rhetoric to transparent and verifiable action. The people of Bauchi State, especially our pensioners, deserve nothing less”.
