By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State Government disclosed on Wednesday that it has paid a total of fourteen billion naira as pension and gratuity in the last two years.

The Governor of the state, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti while presenting gratuity cheques totaling one billion naira to another batch of 450 pensioners in the state.

He also restated his administration’s resolve to defray all outstanding gratuity arrears within a short time.

Governor Oyebanji, while presenting the cheques at a brief event at the Jibowu Hall, Government House, said his government would continue to prioritize the welfare of senior citizens who had served the state diligently and meritoriously, as a way of appreciating their services to humanity and the growth of the state.

The Governor, acknowledging the challenges faced by retirees due to delays in gratuity payment, assured that his government is working hard to ensure that gratuity arrears become a thing of the past, hoping to achieve his goal of a “pay as you go” basis.

He also disclosed that his administration had paid over 14 billion naira as gratuity and pension to deserving retirees, as well as ensuring that all pension arrears of over one billion naira owed by the state government and 150 million naira in outstanding deductions were paid.

Assuring that the government would continue to support the elderly and vulnerable groups in the state with various social safety nets aimed at providing succor, the Governor said his administration has introduced free health care for retirees through the state Ministry of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

While congratulating the beneficiaries, the Governor urged public servants to key into the contributory pension scheme recently introduced, which guarantees a more seamless and quick payment of gratuity.

“As elder statesmen, your welfare is always a priority to this administration, and that is why your monthly pension has been on the first line charge.

“I am proud to say that we have paid a total of N12,569,562,240.00 as pension since we assumed office. Similarly, this administration has paid a cumulative sum of two billion, three hundred million naira as gratuity to our retired senior citizens. This is apart from the gratuity already paid to local government retirees. Today, in this batch, we are paying out a total sum of one billion naira while continuing with the monthly gratuity payment of N200 million to both state and local government pensioners,” the Governor asserted.

The event was also graced by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, members of the state executive council, the state house of Assembly, and labor leaders. Governor Oyebanji hinted at his government’s readiness to make public the state’s new minimum wage once the President signs the bill into law.

He also assured pensioners that they will benefit from the minimum wage.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Folakemi Olomojobi, hailed the amount paid as gratuity, describing it as unprecedented, and thanked the Governor for walking his talk.

The Head of Service, noting that the Governor’s cardinal programs and policies were entirely people-centered and being carefully implemented to positively impact the people, maintained that despite the economic challenges confronting the nation, the Governor has continued to show great commitment to the welfare of pensioners and the entire workforce in the state.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairmen of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Ekiti State Chapter, Elder Joel Akinola, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sola Adigun, and Joint Negotiation Council, Comrade Femi Ajoloko, expressed their gratitude to the Governor for prioritizing the welfare of the pensioners and the entire workforce in the state.

The labour leaders said the Governor’s achievements in the last twenty months were a testament to the fact that Ekiti people made the right choice.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Cecelia Ojo and Mr. Fadare Ezekile spoke glowingly about the Governor, thanked him for fulfilling his promises to the pensioners, and maintained that the Governor has restored their trust in the government.

Also at the event were the Minority Leader, Hon. Ogunsakin Olaoye, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Habibat Adubiaro, among others.