Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has explained that his administration had spent about N35 billion on payment of pensions and gratuities of retired workers since 2018.
He said the administration has consistently released N509 million on a monthly basis to cater for pensioners under the Old Pension Scheme and also not leaving out those on the Contributory Pension Scheme.
He reaffirmed his commitment to continuously uplifting the standard of living of all categories of workers by taking their welfare as the topmost priority.
The governor spoke after presenting bond certificates to some retirees in the state during the special lectures organised by the 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.
Oyetola said the government recently released N1,644,000,000 for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuity of retired civil servants.
He said the administration has 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 the 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 pay workers’ entitlements despite the harsh economic conditions arising from national economic challenges.
“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 N1,644,000,000 for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuities of retired civil servants.”
Head of Service Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade thanked Oyetola for standing by the workers, active and retired to promote the dignity of labour.
In their separate remarks, the pioneer President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, and Pioneer Osun Secretary to the State Government/Head of Service, Chief Moses Inaolaji Aboaba, commended the governor for not defaulting on the payment of salaries and pensions since assumption of office.
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