The Kaduna State Government has commenced the payment of N1.2 billion as death benefits and gratuity to families of deceased and retired civil servants.
The amount is for state and local government workers who have retired or died while in service.
At the official distribution of the cheques to families of the deceased civil servants at the Kaduna State Government House, the Executive Secretary of State Pension Bureau, Prof. Salamatu Isah, said N1, 035,000,000 will be allocated for the payment of the retirees and families of the deceased in the 23 local government areas.
The Executive Secretary further explained that the amount will be the 14th payment schedule under the local government gratuity for retirees and next-of-kin of deceased beneficiaries.
She, however, debunked rumours that seven local government areas have paid all their outstanding gratuities and death benefits under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).
The Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, who handed over the cheques to relatives of the deceased civil servants, said apart from the payment of death benefits and gratuity, the government has also initiated some programmes and policies that are geared towards improving the welfare of civil servants in the state.