Nasarawa recruits 500 workers, approves N2.1bn gratuity

The Nasarawa State Government has approved the recruitment of 500 civil servants and payment of N2.135bn outstanding 2013 gratuities to 608 retirees.

The approvals were among the resolutions of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Government House.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaac Danladi, said existing casual workers who had served for several years would be given priority in the recruitment, subject to due process and an assessment of manpower needs across ministries, departments and agencies.

He said local government councils had also been directed to clear outstanding gratuities up to 2012, estimated at N2.3 billion.

The Commissioner for Finance, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi, said the council approved N2,135,534,997.11 for 608 eligible retirees with outstanding gratuities for 2013.

She disclosed that the state had invested in one million ordinary shares in the recently concluded Dangote Group initial public offering, using returns from previous investments held by the Nasarawa State Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA).

Abdullahi also said NASIDA had entered into a rehabilitation, operation and transfer arrangement for the Sani Abacha Bus Terminal in Karu, expected to generate about N300 million annually for the state.

She added that the government was considering a land-for-infrastructure arrangement for a proposed estate in Lafia, under which a private investor would provide roads, culverts and other infrastructure while the state would retain 60 per cent of the development.