Adamawa State has commenced the verification of pensioners, a process expected to lead to the release of N8 billion in outstanding pension arrears. The exercise, which began on Tuesday, has sparked hope among beneficiaries who believe payment will follow soon after.
The Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State Pensioners Union, Ahmed Zambwa, confirmed the optimism in an interview, noting that the government has assured immediate payment once the verification ends.
He said, “Payment is expected to begin immediately after the verification exercise which commences today. We are optimistic that Governor Fintiri will make good his promise once the verification is over.”
The exercise is scheduled to last for one week, targeting both state and local government retirees. Three months ago, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri pledged to clear the backlog of arrears amounting to N8 billion. Of this figure, N5 billion is allocated to state pensioners, while N3 billion is meant for local government pensioners.
Prior to the announcement of the verification, many pensioners had grown anxious about the governor’s promise.
However, the latest development has revived confidence that the administration will fulfill its financial commitment, thereby easing the burden on retirees who have long awaited their benefits.