Ogun govt assures LG pensioners on payment of gratuities
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Government says it would ensure a comfortable post retirement life for its local government pensioners, irrespective of the challenges they now face.
Speaking with protesting local government pensioners at the State Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, on Thursday, the State Head of Service, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro said the present administration is not unmindful of the plight of the senior citizens.
He, however, sought for their understanding to enable government offset the backlog of pensions and gratuities from 2011 for that of Local Government pensioners.
“This government will always prioritise welfare of the pensioners and ensure regular payment of their pensions despite the dwindling financial situation being witnessed in the state and the country at large,” he assured.
On the pensioners request to meet with Governor Dapo Abiodun for a formal meeting, he promised to arrange a meeting within the next couple of weeks with the Local Government Pensioners in the State with a view to resolving all outstanding issues concerning payment of their outstanding entitlements.
Aigoro said although he is just about three days in office, he could connect with the agitations of the pensioners being a civil servant himself.
“Within the next couple of weeks, we would get an audience with the Governor to resolve all outstanding issues,” he assured, stressing that “as a promise keeping administration, no stone will be left unturned to ensure workers and pensioners wellbeing and welfare.”
State Chairman of the Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN) Alhaji Sikiru Ayilara, while responding, appealed to the state government to find a lasting solution towards addressing prompt payment of monthly pensions, gratuities, review of monthly pensions and the resuscitation of Board of Bureau of Local Government Pensions, amongst others.
Ayilara said the Pensioners decided to embark on the protest to draw government attention to their plight. He noted that although the present administration has made some efforts to address their plight, including the quarterly release of N500m, but that the Pensioners are eager to meet with the Governor, as there are still issues to resolve, including increase in monthly pension.
