Gombe clears ₦25.6bn gratuity as governor decries past loan dependency
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has revealed that his administration has paid over ₦25.6 billion in gratuities to retirees, while criticizing the financial mismanagement of the previous government that relied on loans to pay workers’ salaries.
Speaking at a ceremony for the disbursement of gratuities to local government retirees at the Government House banquet hall on Tuesday, Governor Yahaya said that between 2013 and 2019, the previous administration borrowed about ₦1.3 billion monthly to settle salary obligations—an unsustainable and irresponsible practice, he noted.
“For six solid years, they kept borrowing just to pay salaries. That showed a level of irresponsibility,” Yahaya stated, referring to the administration of Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, his predecessor.
The governor highlighted that under his leadership, all 11 local government areas now operate independently without borrowing, thanks to fiscal discipline and reform. “Alhamdulillah, we have come out of that situation. Each LGA is now financially responsible and sustainable,” he added.
He stressed the importance of honouring retired civil servants, describing the payment of gratuities as a moral and constitutional obligation. “Our retirees deserve dignity and timely rewards for their service,” Yahaya said.
Yahaya disclosed that since 2019, his administration has disbursed ₦25.626 billion in gratuities, with the latest tranche of ₦2.06 billion paid during the event. He described the milestone as historic and a testament to his administration’s prudent financial management.
He reaffirmed his commitment to prioritizing workers’ welfare, noting that both serving and retired civil servants remain central to his administration’s agenda. “Through discipline and commitment, we have honored our obligations without compromising development,” he said.
The event drew retired workers, government officials, and local government representatives who lauded the governor’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public finance.
