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The Kwara State Government has established two committees, primarily composed of technocrats and labor leaders, to verify the existing records of gratuities at both state and local government levels. This initiative aims to ensure that pensioners receive their dues based on their retirement dates from the civil service.
A statement from the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, released in Ilorin on Friday, indicated that the eight-member committee responsible for state gratuities is chaired by the State Auditor General, while the committee for local government gratuities is led by the Local Government Auditor General.
Committee members include representatives from the retired Permanent Secretaries, the retired civil servants’ association, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, as well as Account and Finance Staff certified by ICAN and ANAN. The secretaries for the committees are Iyabo Adebayo (for the state) and Mrs. Amina Ahmed (for Local Government).
The local government committee also includes representatives from the retired Local Government Civil Servants Association and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
According to the statement, “The primary goal of the committee is to ensure the precise and transparent compilation of outstanding state and local government gratuities for eligible pensioners, preparing for automated bank transfer payments.”
The committees' terms of reference include requesting and obtaining the detailed yearly gratuity schedule of all outstanding liabilities from the pension board, verifying the accuracy and completeness of this information, and confirming the eligibility of all pensioners against their PSN Number/Pension Number, KWSSRA SSID database, and NIN.
Furthermore, the committee will ensure thorough reconciliation of records by cross-referencing figures with available government records and documents, prioritize payment recommendations chronologically, ensure that recommended disbursements commence from the oldest outstanding year and progress upward based on available funds, and maintain accountability and audit readiness throughout all processes and documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the newly appointed committees in Kwara State?
The committees are tasked with verifying gratuities records to ensure pensioners receive their dues based on their retirement dates from the civil service.
Who leads the committees?
The committee for state gratuities is led by the State Auditor General, while the Local Government Auditor General heads the committee for local government gratuities.
What will the committees do to ensure accuracy?
The committees will verify the accuracy of gratuity records, confirm pensioners' eligibility, and reconcile records against government documents to ensure transparency and accountability.
