…as Gov presents bond certificates to retirees
BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
THE Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday, disclosed that his administration had spent about N35billion on payment of pensions and gratuities of retired workers in the state since 2018.
Oyetola hinted that the adminstration had consistently released N509 million on a monthly basis to cater for pensioners under the Old Pension Scheme, while not leaving out those on the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuously uplifting the standard of living of all categories of workers by taking their welfare as the topmost priority.
The Governor made this known after presenting bond certificates to some retirees in the state during the special lectures organised by civil servants through the Office of the Head of Service to celebrate Osun 2021 Civil Service Week at the Staff Development Centre, State Government Secretariat, Osogbo.
According to him, the sum of one billion, six hundred and forty-four million naira (N1,644,000,000) has been released for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuity of retired civil servants.
He said the administration had been living up to its constitutional and fundamental responsibilities to guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens and as well ensure the people’s welfare since inception in 2018 in spite of the depressed economy.
The Governor who described civil service and civil servants as the engine room of government, noted that the administration would not relent in its avowed commitment to continuously paying workers’ entitlements despite the harsh economic conditions arising from national economic challenges.
He said, “As a government, we will not relent in prioritising the welfare of our active and retired workers in the State. We will continue to pay workers’ entitlements despite the harsh economic conditions arising from national economic challenges.
“We have consistently released N509 million on a monthly basis to cater for pensioners under the old pension scheme, while not leaving out those on the Contributory Pension Scheme.
“We have released the sum of one billion, six hundred and forty-four million naira (N1,644,000,000) for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuities of retired civil servants.”
“In all, from 2018 to date, we have so far spent about N35 billion to cater for all the categories of our pensioners. I would like to therefore urge our senior citizens to continue to show understanding and support our government in our effort to reposition Osun and stimulate its economy for prosperity and abundance,” he added.
The Governor who urged the beneficiaries of the bonds to be prudent in spending their hard-earned money, said it behoved them to utilise the resources well by investing in productive ventures that would bring value to their families.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, thanked Governor Oyetola for standing by the workers, active and retired, to promote the dignity of labour.
He added, “Do you know that our Governor is great and greater too? On this occasion, we thank Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola for standing by the workers, active and retired, to promote dignity of labour.
“We are paid in full. Today, over a billion Naira bond will be given to deserving retirees. As we speak, we have captured contributory pension to August 2018. Do you know that additionally, today, 108 retirees who are junior and intermediate retirees placed for payment from August 2018 to 31st December, 2020 will receive their bonds, courtesy of Governor Oyetola?
“We are having security of tenure. And payments of our terminal benefits are made regularly. We now have Health Insurance Scheme for all the workers. As partners in progress, we demand for more on behalf of the workers and God will give you the needed enablement to do so.”
In their separate remarks, the pioneer President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Hassan Sunmonu, and Pioneer Osun Secretary to the State Government/Head of Service, Moses Inaolaji Aboaba, commended Governor Oyetola for not defaulting on the payment of salaries and pensions since assumption of office.
