Adamawa earmarks N3bn to settle backlog of pension

By Padio Phineas, Yola

The government of Adamawa State has set aside N3 billion to settle the backlog of pension and gratuity of retirees in the state.

This was disclosed at a media parley convened by Governor Ahamadu Umaru Fintiri’s Principal Special Assistant on Media and Communication, George Kushi .

Kushi noted that senior citizens who have been neglected for over 12 years would now heave a sigh of relief, adding that the move was unprecedented.

“This is the very first time in history a governor of this state would earmark a whooping N3 billion to address the plight of pensioners in one move,” Kushi said.

The Governor, according to Kushi, has also taken pragmatic steps to address the dreaded climate change, occasioned by desert encroachment.

“The state government,” he said, “having been threatened by speedy desert encroachment, has rolled out cash insensitive for climate-friendly practices.”

A United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) report revealed that “persistence of desertification in Nigeria has continued to threaten the attainment of food security and other important sustainable development goals in the affected states (Adamawa among worst hit states). Desert features now account for approximately 580,841km2 of Nigeria’s land mass and account for up to 63.8% of the country’s land mass.”

It was gathered that the government was alarmed by the report, prompting a decision to earmark N400 reward for planting and nurturing a tree by any individual in the state.

Kushi noted that the government was confronting the monster of climate change holistically. According to him, the government had outlawed tree felling and other climate related unwholesome practices.

“The Fintiri Administration is confronting climate change with the best approach ever. The administration is partnering with ACRESAL (Agro-Climatic Resilience In Semi-Arid Landscapes) in its cutting edge forestation drive.

“Under the scheme, individuals who plant and nurture each tree would be rewarded with N400,” Kushi said.

The Governor’s performance in tackling insecurity and infrastructural development were highlighted at the parley which was attended by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr. Edgar Amos, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Neido Kofulto and Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Dr. John Ngamsa.