KEY POINTS

• Bauchi State approves a contributory pension scheme for civil servants.
• The scheme aims to address long-standing pension and gratuity issues.
• The state government is in advanced talks on raising the minimum wage

The Bauchi State Government has agreed to adopt the contributory pension scheme for the civil servants, which has advanced the pension matters of the state considerably.

This decision was confirmed by the state’s Head of Civil Service, Yahuza Ningi, following a meeting of the State Executive Council on Wednesday.

Pension scheme to improve workers’ welfare

Under the newly approved scheme, civil servants in Bauchi State will contribute 8% of their monthly salary toward their pension.

The state government has promised to hire competent pension administrators to oversee the plan and guarantee its success.

This move comes in response to the state’s long-standing pension and gratuity challenges, which have left many retirees without timely payments.

Ningi also reassured civil servants that the state government is committed to improving their welfare, as discussions around the payment of a new minimum wage for workers are reportedly in the final stages.

Despite the fact that the details of the wage increase have not been disclosed workers should be optimistic for improvements from the negotiations currently going on.

Youth employment plans and infrastructure development

In addition to the pension reform, the Bauchi State Government has also approved the recruitment of 2,000 youth workers from within the state.

According to Punch, these new recruits will join the BAROTA Corps, an initiative designed to tackle high youth unemployment while also assisting in maintaining law and order on the state’s roads and in other essential sectors.

Furthermore, the government has taken steps to protect its natural resources. A new initiative to fence off the Sumu Wildlife Park in Ganjuwa Local Government Area has been approved.

This measure aims to prevent encroachment and preserve the state’s wildlife for future generations.

Investment in education and natural resources

The State Executive Council has also greenlit the construction of a permanent campus for the Bauchi State Oil and Gas Academy in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

This N6 billion project is part of the state’s push to build capacity in the oil and gas sectors, enhancing local education and training in these critical industries.

Additionally, the Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources has been renamed to the Ministry of Natural Resources Development.

The new title offers the government a new approach towards realizing the potential in natural resource and solid minerals in Bauchi. With this change, the state aims at giving a booster shot to the sick sector while at the same encouraging people to invest in local mining and resource development.