Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the governor of Plateau State, has approved the payment of gratuities, death benefits, and pension arrears totaling around N20 billion for the years 1985 to the present.
Governor Mutfwang emphasises that his administration is committed to workers’ welfare and that each employee is entitled to receive their full pay. He stated that a specific sum of money will be placed aside each month to cover pension arrears, death payments, and gratuities on this account.
At the start of the Plateau State Government/Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) retreat on effective social dialogue for industrial relations on Monday, the governor made these statements. The theme of the event, which was hosted at the Jonggrand Hotel in Bukuru, Plateau State, was “Time is Now.”
“The welfare of civil servants is of utmost importance; thus, we have cleared the backlog of inherited salaries spanning over four months. We are current with salary payments and have approved the disbursement of the 90% Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and a 75% hazard allowance.
“Likewise, we have granted a 75% Hazard Allowance to other health workers, including the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives. Additionally, measures are underway to address longstanding issues such as gratuities, death benefits, and pension arrears, with the last gratuity payment made in 1985,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang highlighted the significance of training and retraining of civil servants for efficient service delivery. He pledged his administration’s commitment to initiatives aimed at enhancing the performance of the workforce.
“Under my leadership, we will consistently uphold the values and ethics of the civil service, fostering an environment for all sectors to thrive. Our guiding principles include fairness, justice, and equity in our treatment of every worker.
“The time is now for mutual benefit, industrial harmony, worker welfare, training, prompt payment of salaries, and promotions. With God’s grace and your cooperation, we shall seamlessly achieve these goals,” he stated.
The joint retreat is the first of its sort in the Plateau, according to Mrs. Rauta Dakok, Head of Service for Plateau State, who also spoke. She was upbeat about the training’s potential to improve the workforce and build a win-win partnership between union leaders and the government by giving them access to information on how to design policies that will improve the civil service.
