By Emmanuel Awari -Jalingo
The Chairman of Pensioners in Bali Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdulaman Musa, has appreciated the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas for demonstrating concern on the welfare of pensioners in the state.
He disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Jalingo.
He said that the governor has directed that they should be enrolled with the minimum wage and pledged to mobilise support for the re-election of governor Agbu Kefas in the 2027 governorship election, citing the regular payment of pensions and gratuities as one of the major reasons for their decision.
“Governor Kefas has demonstrated genuine concern for the welfare of retirees. This gesture will be reciprocated in 2027 ballot. We declared our support for the second-term bid of governor Agbu Kefas,” he said.
He said that the regular payment of pensions and gratuities has restored confidence among retirees who, in previous years, were often confronted with uncertainty over when their entitlements would be paid.
The Chairman pointed out that the development would also encourage local government workers to retire at the appropriate time, whether based on age or years of service, without fear of uncertainty after leaving the workforce, adding that the retirees’ endorsement of the governor was further strengthened by the ongoing construction of roads across the state, renovation of general hospitals and the introduction of free and compulsory education by the administration.
“We have not seen it this good in Taraba. As Pensioners, our pension has been approved at the minimum wage level. We are all happy and we want the governor to continue in 2027,” he added.
He also said that the improved pension arrangement would give workers greater confidence to retire from service when due.
“With this development, people will be happy to retire from service. Nobody will want to falsify their age or years in service any longer. The reason people do this is because of the fear of leaving service without anything to feed their families or attend to other needs.
Now that our gratuity is going to be settled and our pension is reasonable, I believe the happiness will go a long way in improving our lives,” the chairman reiterated.
He also commended the governor for remodelling of the council lodge, describing it as part of the administration’s efforts to improve public infrastructure and the working environment within the local government area. He further commend him for Security and the free education policy were also highlighted by the pensioners as areas in which they believed the administration had made significant interventions
The Chairman said that the improved welfare package had restored hope among retirees and would encourage serving local government employees to look forward to retirement without anxiety over their financial wellbeing.
“The improved welfare situation has also generated renewed interest among public servants approaching retirement, noting that some workers were now willing to retire rather than remain in service beyond their productive years because they were more confident about receiving their retirement benefits,” he added.