The State Deputy Governor, Mr Barnabas Bala, who disbursed cheques to some of the retirees in Kaduna, said over N15 billion was approved for payment to the beneficiaries.
Bala, who represented Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i at the event, said government would not shirk its responsibility to the retirees.
He assured that all retired civil servants in the state would be compensated as at when due.
According to him, the state government took a long time to verify genuine civil servants and pensioners in order to streamline its finances to meet its obligations.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Finance, Suleiman Kwari explained that over N15 billion was approved for the payment of pension and death benefits.
Kwari however said only N1.6 billion was approved for the first phase of the payment while the remaining amount would be paid subsequently.
Also, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Pension Bureau, Mr Dan Ndackson, said the payment would cover those who retired from local government service from 2012, and those that retired from state service in 2014.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed delight over the commencement of the payment and expressed the hope that it would be sustained.[NAN]