Minna — The Niger State government has spent a total of N5billon on pension and gratuity in the state in the past one year.

According to Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in a speech he delivered at the flag off of the new pension scheme, revealed that Niger State inherited a debt on pension and gratuity from the past administration. He said the state owed retirees fifteen years before he became governor, which amounted to N2 billion. In addition, he said the sum of N1.7billion has also been paid for the new pension scheme and another N261 million has been remitted to the ministry of local government for retirees at that level.

The Governor described civil servants as the driving force in his administration.

He said for governance to achieve stability and attain a desired economic relevance, their needs must be satisfied, adding that the money was enough to start the rehabilitation of the Abuja - Niger express way, but the need to solve the wants of the civil servants is paramount in his administration.