Kwara earmarks N8.1b for retirees

Kwara State government has earmarked N8.1b for payment of gratuities for retired state and local government staff.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hawa Nuhu, disclosed this at the third quarter inter-ministerial briefing by the state government, held at the state Ministry of Finance Conference Hall in Ilorin on Tuesday.

She disclosed that N5.6b will be disbursed to state retired staff for gratuities, while N2.5b has been earmarked for local government retired staff for their gratuities.

Nuhu assured that the state government will continue to gradually offset pensions and gratuities because other developmental projects do not suffer.

She explained that pensions and gratuities have tripled due to the implementation of two salaries and wages, N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wages, with their consequential adjustment for retirees.

The Commissioner asserted that the state government is not owing any local government retiree except those who refused to show up during the verification exercise conducted at all the 16 local councils in the state.

“Those complaining are few and they need to come forward and complete their verification exercise and collect their money,” she said.

Nuhu said the monthly internally generated revenue is about N15.7b, while domestic debt of the state stands at N57b.

The finance commissioner also clarified the insinuation that new levies would be imposed on the residents at both state and Federal levels, explaining that “no new levies in 2026, but rather, the governments are presently streamlining the existing taxes and will become effective from January 2026.

On his part, the Commissioner for Transportation, Lafia Aliyu Kora Sabi, said the ministry has beefed up safety and security, including introduction of colour codes for transport operators for proper identification and commuter safety.

He also disclosed that 1,000 life jackets received from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, were distributed across the five riverine areas of the state, namely Baruten, Edu, Moro, Kaiama and Patigi Local Government Areas of the state to enhance water safety.

In her own presentation, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Development, Dr Mariam Imam Nnafatima, said over 200 street beggars evacuated from the streets in Ilorin the state capital have been repatriated to their respective home states.

She said a total renovation of the rehabilitation center at Amayo and Elders Home was ongoing to make it functional, while the state government has also been combating drug abuse in collaboration with the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in the state.

Kwara earmarks N8.1b for retirees