TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
In line with his electoral promise to prioritize welfare of workers and pensioners, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has approved modalities for the payment of outstanding 30 months half salary arrears to the state civil servants and contributory pensioners with immediate effects.
The governor also approved cash back of year 2019 to 2022 promotion exercises and equally okayed the payment of arrears for contributory and non-contributory pensioners in the state.
In a statement entitled: “Matters Affecting Civil Servants (Active and Retired), issued on Wednesday by the Office of the Head of Service in the state and signed by K. N. Akintola for the Head of Service, the governor approved the welfare packages, saying arrears of salaries would be paid once in a quarter subsequently.
The statement was addressed to senior management services, the permanent secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Board; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Office of the Accountant General of the state.
It reads, “I am directed to refer to the above subject and inform you that the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has graciously approved welfare packages for active and retired workers at both State and Local Government levels as follows:
“Immediate payment of arrears of half salaries for January, 2016; Subsequent payment of arrears of half salaries once in a quarter
beginning with the second quarter of year 2023; monthly payment of arrears of half salaries to Contributory Pensioners (State and Local) who have not received their bonds
with effect from February, 2023;
“Payment of four (4) months outstanding deductions (May and June, 2019, February, 2020 and October, 2022) starting with the immediate payment of May 2019 deduction and the other three (3) months deductions at once per quarter; and cash backing of the years 2019 to 2022 promotion exercises.”
Recall that the workers and retirees had been owed since the administrations of Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola.
Adeleke, during his inuaguration had promised to offset the outstanding salary arrears, gratuities and pensions within the first six months of his government.
