Bello approves N1.388b to pay Kogi pensioners

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has approved N1.338 billion for the payment of 14 months’ arrears to pensioners in the state.

A statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday said that Bello made the approval during the last state executive council meeting held on March 9.

Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Director-General (D-G) to the governor on media and strategy, said in the statement that the money was to cover outstanding pension arrears of retirees from January 2016 to February 2017.

He, however, said that those to be paid were pensioners on the cleared list of the just concluded screening.

According to him, payment will commence immediately as all necessary arrangements have been put in place.

The DG quoted the governor as commending the pensioners for bearing with the government during the period of the screening, it said.

The governor was said to have promised to continue to place top priority on the pensioners’ welfare.