…Dstributes N1.9bn bond to Osun pensioners
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has declared that his administration will achieve in 4 years what other people achieve in 8 years.
The Governor made this known yesterday at the Osun awards as part of activities to mark his second year in office.
Delivering his remarks, Governor Adeleke said his administration has turned around the fortunes of the state making it viable for economic development.
He noted that his administration has undertaken various infrastructural projects to give the state a new look adding that it has earned him awards and recognition home and abroad.
He said, “The awards and recognition we have received are a motivation to do better. So far I told my team that we must complete over 500km of roads in 4 years. We will do better for the people of Osun.”
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of senior citizens in the state, stating that his love and care for senior citizens is not a political gimmick.
This is as the Governor distributed bond cheques worth N1,999,908,887.33 to contributory pensioners in the state.
The Governor said his administration has paid almost 70 percent of what previous administration paid under 12 years, within just two years.
According to him, “Our love, care and support for pensioners is therefore not a political gimmick. It is about doing the right thing.”
He said, “From the beginning of our administration, we have left no one in doubt as to our passion to address challenges facing pensioners and the pension sector. We had declared then that senior citizens deserve due attention from state leadership as a matter of duty. From November 27th, 2022 to date, we have kept faith with our pledge.
“Today, as we mark our second year anniversary, I restate our resolute policy of standing attention to pension matters. Our leadership will continue to resolve individual and personal issues plaguing the sector. In specific terms, we are working to standardize pension administration to ensure pensioners are treated with all required dignity and timeliness.
“Today, we are gathered here for the distribution of bond cheques to our contributory pensioners. As part of our determination to settle pension indebtedness, today we are paying out a total sum of One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eight Seven Naira (N1,999, 908,887.33). This is a combination for both state and local governments.
“I am happy to inform our senior citizens and the general public about what each administration from former Governor Rauf Aregbesola to date has paid in the pension sector
“The total for the two previous administrations under a 12 year period was Thirty Four Billion, Four Hundred and Eight Million, Eighty Seven Thousand and Fifty Naira Naira ( N34,408,087,059.77)
“For our administration in the last two years plus what we are paying out today, the total payment is the sum of Twenty Two Billion, Six Hundred Seventy One Million, Two Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety Three Naira (N22,671,217,893.24). While for local government pension stands at N25 billion. Making out payment in two years to over N47 billion.
“Our administration paid almost 70 percent under two years of what the former APC administration paid under 12 years. We added a life changing policy, the enrolment of pensioners in the health insurance scheme. This has eased access to health care for our senior citizens.
“As much as we still have a lot of ground to cover, we have started on a strong note. We have proved to our elderly people that we are with them, that we seriously care about their well being.
“Other outstanding issues in the pension sector are to be looked into. The Head of Service is mandated to compile a list of other unresolved issues facing pensioners, especially areas they still want our government to focus on. This will further ensure adequate state response to areas of needs.
“Despite the situation, our administration has delivered across the sectors. Leadership of the pension union is invited to the town hall meeting holding by Wednesday for detailed accountability and scorecard.
‘’To state workers, I reassure you of our unshaken commitment to your welfare which is number one item on our five point agenda. We are a government of workers, labour, pensioners and the masses,” the Governor added.