Jigawa state government has completed arrangements towards conducting screening and verifications of all its retirees to maintain an updated payroll system, the state Head of service, Alh. Muhammad K Dagaceri, has hinted.

He stated this during a stakeholders meeting at the Pension House comprising the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Jigawa State Chapter.

According to him, the essence of the verification exercise was not to witch-hunt any pensioner, but rather to maintain an updated payroll system.

He said the exercise would also rectify minor irregularities that have developed over the past three years, only to enhance the accuracy of the pensioners’ payroll.

He further explained that this initiative aligns with the current administration’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, and it also provides an opportunity for pensioners to correct any missing information on their pay slips.

Also speaking, the State Accountant General, Abdullahi Shehu, highlighted that the exercise will allow pensioners to update and provide any missing information on their pay slips.

He therefore called on all pensioners from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, Local Government Councils (LGCs), and Local Government Education Authorities to participate in the verification exercise as outlined in the exercise itinerary.

In his speech, the Chairman of the state Association of Local Governments of Nigeria ALGON, Professor Salim Abdurrahman, assured full support and cooperation from the 27 Local Government Council Chairmen in meeting the objectives of the exercise.

Represented by the Chairman of Malam Madori local government council, Alhaji Salisu Sani, urged pensioners to collaborate for the smooth execution of the verification process.

Dr. Bilyaminu Shitu Aminu, the Executive Secretary of the Scheme, encouraged pensioners from various agencies to fully cooperate with the scheme to achieve the set goals, reiterating that pensioners should visit their respective Local Government Secretariats for the verification.

Other participants, including the Special Adviser on Labour Matters and the Senior Special Assistant on the Contributory Pension Scheme, Comrade Abdullahi Tsoho, and Alhaji Idris Aminu, also expressed their encouragement for the verification exercise.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Alhaji Umar Sani Babura, pledged the union’s full support to ensure the success of this initiative.

All pensioners from MDAs, LGCs, and LGEAs participating in the Contributory Pension Scheme are mandated to take part in the verification on the designated dates as specified in the exercise itinerary.