Ekiti disburses N3.9b  to pensioners

From Victor Akinkuolie,Ado-Ekiti
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Ekiti State Government, has disclosed that it has expended a total sum ofN3.9 billion on monthly payment of pensions in the state between the month of October 2018 and June 2019.

The Governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, declared this  on Thursday while distributing cheques worth N100 million as gratuity to about 61 retired  local government and primary school teachers  in the state  at the Old Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.

He said that a total sum of N549 million has been paid till date to clear part of the pension arrears inherited from the immediate past administration.

Fayemi said the steps taken towards clearing the backlog of gratuity is a testament to the desire of his administration to ensure that those who had spent their productive age in serving the State do not suffer after their retirement.

While promising to alleviate the sufferings of the pensioners by making regular payment of their exit benefits a top priority, the governor stated that their entitlements would be paid within available resources.

Fayemi said his government is not unmindful of those who had passed on in the cause of waiting for their entitlements; saying this is regrettable.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Prof. Adio Folayan said that the event was a practical demonstration that Fayemi places priority on the welfare of retired senior citizens.

Folayan said the Fayemi-led administration inherited #13,513,873,255.27 as arrears of gratuity and N2,689,838,380.61 as pension arrears but is making efforts to clear the backlog of inherited wage bill.

One of the beneficiaries, Madam Felicia Ojaomo thanked the governor for remembering the pensioners.

She said Fayemi’s return is an answer to the prayers of the pensioners who had hoped for better days; adding that the distribution of cheques to them is a testimony that Fayemi has started fulfilling his campaign promises to pensioners.