Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioners, disclosing that over N57 billion has been paid to retirees across the state as part of his efforts to clear longtime pension backlogs.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), led by their Director General, Mrs. Omolola Oloworaran, at the Governor’s Office in Osogbo, the state capital.
In his address, Adeleke disclosed that the state had approved the digitalization of pension operations in both state and local government bureaux to improve efficiency and transparency, in line with PenCom’s guidelines.
He continued by adding that new bond certificates would be presented in a few weeks to further clear outstanding dues.
His words, “Let me use this medium to inform you that during my electioneering campaign, I made it categorically clear that welfare of workers and pensioners will be number one in my Five Point Agenda for the State.
” Today, I want to assure you that I have made giant strides in the fulfillment of my promises, especially prompt payment of Gratuities and Pension under Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), also known as PAY-AS-YOU-GO for the Old Pensioners. Similarly, payment of Backlog of Remittances, Group life Assurances for the workers that die on active service, as well as Accrued Right Benefits are paid to the Beneficiaries on first come first served.
“Consequently, the sum of Twenty-Seven Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-Four Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira, Twenty Kobo (N27,424,552,228.20) had been paid through Bureau of Public Service Pension for the MDAs, Parastatals and Secondary School Teachers of the State while the sum of Twenty-Nine Billion, Five Hundred and Eight-Four Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Eight Naira, Thirty Kobo (N29,584,771,728.30) only had been paid through Local Government Staff Pension Bureau for Primary School Teachers and Local Governments retirees in the State for gratuities, Monthly Pension, Remittance and Bond Certificates.
“Also, in the next few weeks to come, another set of Bond Certificates will be presented by both Local Government and State Pension Bureaux.
It is pertinent to mention that the State Government has approved digitalization of the operation of the two Bureaux for on line treatment of their activities in line with your organization’s guidelines for effective implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme.
“Training of Staff of the Bureaux and Pension Desk Officers in the State is also one of the scorecards of my administration.
“In order to relieve and ease the economic hardship on the pensioners in the State, both Old and New Schemes, the additional new minimum wage of Twenty-Five Thousand (N25,000.00) and Ten Thousand (N10,000.00) as palliatives are paid to the pensioners respectively. They had also been captured in the free Osun Health Insurance Scheme to provide seamless access to quality and affordable Health Care delivery to retirees.” He explained.
While speaking with newsmen, Director General of PenCom, Mrs. Omolola Oloworaran congratulated Governor Adeleke on his good work as related to the financial security of retirees in Osun state, adding that the delegation has also come to present the report of their own inspect shown from 2023 to the Governor.
“We are here for three major reasons, to congratulate the Excutive Governor of Osun State, on the very good work he’s doing in the state as relate to financial security of retirees in Osun state.
And like I told the Governor, we are happy about what he’s doing, one is related to healthcare, retirees have been enrolled into an healthcare scheme in the state and I think about 23,000 of them.
” In addition, I also understand the deputy governor mentioned that as well retirees are also getting 25,000 in addition to the pension they are getting on a monthly basis. So it’s a very good job that Osun state administration is doing in this regard.
” We also wanted to present the report of our inspection shown from 2023 to the governor, and we did reel out all the issues, the governor needs to address which includes clearing all or outstanding obligations on accrued rights.
“The governor has done a lot already, has cleared 70 to 80 percent there about, but we want him to bring it down to zero. And what I’ve been made to understand is that most of these were obligations that preceeds the Governor, but it’s his responsibility today, and we’re happy that he’s looking at it.
“And then the third reason we are also, here is how to boost pension penetration in the state, to get the private sector on board. So, what we are trying to get the governor to do, is how the governor can use agencies that regulate the private sector to ensure that they comply with the PRA. Pension Reform Act in terms of pension contribution for the people of the great state of our Osun state.” She said
