By Agunsoye Adenike
The Lagos State Government in conjunction with LASACO Assurance PLC and Consortium of Underwriters/Brokers has paid N538,964,241.59million to 250 beneficiaries of 102 deceased staff who died in active service of the State Government.
Speaking during the presentation of Cheques to beneficiaries at STO Resort Centre, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja, the Lagos State Head of Service Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola agreed that the payment of Insurance Death Benefits cheque to the beneficiaries of deceased staff is an indication that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu holds the welfare of his staff in a very high esteem.
The Head of Service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs. Olasunkanmi Oyegbola stressed that the Lagos State Government attaches so much importance to the provision of Insurance welfare packages for its Workforce and also Government Properties, which informed the production of the Global Insurance Packages (Group Life, Group Personal Accident, Motor, Property, Liability and Marine).
He said that the purpose for the payment of this Insurance Death Benefits to the beneficiaries is basically to serve as a succour for their immediate families in order to avoid dropping out of schools of the younger children or being thrown out of the place of abode by the landlords due to non-availability of sufficient funds for survival and to ensure a much better future for left behind beneficiaries.”
The Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo disclosed that the payment of insurance premium is in line with the present administration’s total commitment to the welfare of its Staff.
He stated that the objective of the payment of insurance benefits is essentially to provide relief for the immediate families of the deceased in order to assist them in actualising their aspirations without any struggle as the deceased staff would have wanted things to be.
He further emphasised that Lagos State Government is in the forefront in the provision of adequate welfare for staff and citizens at large, and that no other State is totally committed to the welfare of staff either dead or alive as Lagos State is.
He therefore commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for its total commitment to the welfare of its State Workforce.
He advised the beneficiaries to put the money to good use and avoid ventures that could make them lose what their departed loved ones have saved for the rainy day to trivialities and sharp practices.
The Managing Director, LASACO Assurance Plc, Mr. Rasak Abiodun represented by the General Manager, Mr. Dimeji Olona also commended the Lagos State Government for being the only State in Nigeria that takes care of its employees through the payment of Insurance benefits to the deceased staff beneficiaries. Adding that the gesture is a pointer to the fact that staff welfare is paramount to the State Government.
As a way of showing appreciating to the Lagos State Government, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ajisafe Caroline commended the Lagos State Government for its kind gesture in ensuring that the welfare of families of the deceased staff are consider.