The Jigawa State and Local Government Contributory Pension Scheme Board said on Sunday it had disbursed N150, 690,997.80k to 109 beneficiaries made up of retirees and next-of-kin of dead civil servants.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, told newsmen in Dutse that 74 of the beneficiaries were retirees while the remaining 35 were relations of those who died in active service.

“This time around, we have paid terminal benefits to various categories of workers in the state, local government councils and local education authorities.

“The total number of persons affected by this payment is 109, which comprises 74 retirees and heirs of 35 deceased staff.”

He explained that the N150, 690,997.80k covered payments for retirement and death benefits.

The executive secretary said that the payment was made from Sept. 21 to 23, 2015.

According to him, heirs were invited and screened by the board to ensure that they were the genuine beneficiaries of the deceased members of staff.

“The total amount involved for the 109 beneficiaries - that is both retired and dead - is N150, 690,997.80k.

“We invited those who retired on Sept. 21 to collect their benefits, while for those who died, their relations were called on Sept. 22 and 23 because all heirs must be present and screened to ensure that they are the real beneficiaries of the deceased staff.”

Adamu added that the state had one of the best pension schemes in the country because it was always up-to-date in its payment of entitlements to its retirees and to beneficiaries of those who died in active service.

He said that the scheme covered the state and local government staff as well as workers of the local government education authority.

The executive secretary added that the agency was up-to-date in its payment of monthly pension allowances to all its retired workers. (NAN)

•Photo shows Jigawa gov.