-Zulum gives NLC N2 billion for workers loan, raises gratuity pay to 2.4 billion annually.
-Allocate 30 buses to ease workers transport.
-Directs payment of promotional benefits.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, handed over a two billion naira (N2b) cheque to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Borno State.
This fund is designated for disbursing interest-free loans to eligible workers, with a repayment period of 24 months.
The presentation took place following a meeting between the governor and NLC officials, led by Comrade Yusuf Inuwa, the labor chairman in Borno State, at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum urged the NLC to collaborate with the state’s Ministry of Finance to define the criteria for workers eligible for these loans and establish a repayment plan, not exceeding one-third of their salaries per month.
Additionally, the governor announced a 100% increase in the monthly allocation for gratuity payment backlog, raising it from N1.2 billion annually to N2.4 billion. Gratuities are one-time payments made to retired workers, alongside their monthly pensions.
To enhance workers’ transportation, Governor Zulum allocated 30 buses, to be operated by the Borno Express Transport Corporation, offering subsidized fares for commuting within the metropolis. These buses will transport workers to and from the Musa Usman secretariat along major routes in the morning and evening.
Furthermore, Governor Zulum directed the state’s Ministry of Finance to settle outstanding promotional benefits owed to workers, specifically those omitted in previous payments for the years 2016, 2017, and 2018.
He emphasized the importance of paying workers their dues, including those owed for the years 2019 and 2020, while employees owed from 2021 onwards would be compensated based on the results of a recent promotional examination.
Before the governor’s announcements, Comrade Yusuf Inuwa, the NLC Chairman in Borno State, presented several demands to Governor Zulum, with most of them receiving approval.
These demands included loans for workers looking to invest in agriculture or acquire assets, the allocation of buses, and the clearance of promotional benefits. Inuwa also mentioned a request for an increase in the monthly allocation for pension payments.
He expressed gratitude for the governor’s willingness to address these demands and hoped for continued collaboration to improve the welfare of workers at both the state andhoped for continued collaboration to improve the welfare of workers at both the state and local government levels