The Chairman of the State’s Pension Board, Nuhu Abe,  said this at a media forum.

Mr. Abe blamed the economic recession for the inability of the state government to settle the accumulated gratuities.

“As  at Jan. 10, the state was  owing gratuities amounting to N9, 699, 931.48 being the entitlement of about 3, 547 pensioners.

“The state government has  to prioritise its scarce resources with more attention to the payment of salaries and monthly pension but  the gratuities will be settled as soon as funds are available.

“The state has been regular in the payment of monthly pension of about N173. 2 million every month up January  and  to about 3, 482 pensioners,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Rabo Usman, the Chief of Staff, Government House Administration, explained that to address the problem of pension in the state, government was  discussing  with PENCOM.

“Once that is concluded, the burden of both pensions and gratuities would have been adequately solved,’’ he said.

The forum was organised by the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Darius Ishaku on Public Affairs, Emmanuel Bello.  (NAN)