…sets to Begin Electronic Verification for Pensioners’
By Precious Oham
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has settled an additional N3.5 billion in gratuity backlogs for senior citizens in the State.
Speaking at the 2024 Pensioners’ Day celebration in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji reiterated his commitment to prioritize the welfare of retirees by defraying the inherited bulk of gratuity backlogs.
He went further to reveal that the State government will introduce a new mechanism to ease the burden on Pensioners’ during their verification exercise.
He said: “The unpaid pensions of local governments will remain three months after one month is paid. I have confidence in the ability of the committee that has been set-up. I know very soon the Committee will conclude their assignment but we will continue to pay.
“We will pay 2.3billion to State and 1.2billion for local government which takes us to March 2022. The last time we had this function, we paid only State Pensioners’. The money we are paying local government pensioners’ is meant for State’s. The State will loan them the money. We need the support of Labour Leaders and we need to carry everybody along.
“Let me inform you of our plans for a more convenient mechanism for the Pensioners’ which will be electronic based so that you won’t need to travel during verification exercise. This is aimed to make life easier and comfortable for our parents.”
On his part, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ekiti State Council, Comrade Joel Akinola hailed the governor for the regular and prompt payments of their monthly pensions.
He also appreciated the governor for steady liquidation of outstanding gratuities, payment of deductions, payment of arrears of pensions, free health care scheme for pensioners’, food palliatives, among others.
The NUP Chairman went further to solicit the payment of unpaid pension arrears for local government pensioners’, payment of humongous gratuity debts, consequential adjustment in the new minimum wage negotiation, among others.
The event attracted Pensioners’ across the State, Labour Leaders, top government functionaries, State House of Assembly representative.