Taraba Pensioners Pass Vote of Confidence on Gov Kefas, Laud N7bn Payment

...Debunks Publication Calling for the Removal of SGS

By Sule Wakili

The National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Taraba State Council, has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Agbu Kefas for tackling inherited pension liabilities estimated at over N23.6 billion.

State Chairman of NUP, Comrade Mamuda F. Yaro, said in Jalingo on Thursday that contrary to insinuations on social media, pensioners in the state are satisfied with concrete steps taken by the administration to clear backlog of gratuities and pensions.

Yaro was reacting to a publication attributed to one El Nathan Bila Auta, which purportedly called for the removal of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps.

He said the publication was unauthorized and does not represent the position of organized pensioners in Taraba.

According to him, the Kefas administration approved N1 billion in March 2024 for gratuity arrears dating back to 2011, sustained a N200 million monthly allocation for clearance of backlogs, and has paid over N7 billion as at July 2026 for pensions, gratuities and death benefits.

He added that the government has also commenced payment for 2014 and 2015 retirees and enrolled 1,225 additional retired local government workers in July 2026, raising the LG pension payroll to 3,525.

The NUP chairman said while outstanding obligations still exist, the administration has shown commitment to retirees' welfare and deserves support rather than condemnation.