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June 30, 2005
Oyo pledges to abide by FG pension scheme
The Oyo state government has again reiterated its readiness to look into demands by its pensioners with regards to the 142 percent increase on pension as approved by the federal government.
By Sola Shittu
Reporter, Ibadan
Deputy Governor Adebayo Alao Akala and the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Dele Adigun, gave the assurance Wednesday at a meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) when the pensioners held a demonstration at the governor’s office.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Prince Ade Adekanmbi, explained that though the government inherited a total of N1.7 billion as unpaid pensions and gratuities for ex-workers in the state, it had so far paid N1.8 billion to the ex-workers since it came to power in 2003.
According to him, the state government is committing N82.7 million every month to the payment of pensions while the sum of N100 million is set aside for gratuities every month for its workers.
“As of today, government has approved the payment of pension for civil servants that retired up to December 2004 and they are already included in the monthly pensions payroll with their arrears paid up.
“It must be stated categorically that the issue of 142% increase for the pensioners is a federal government directive which has not being backed up with necessary fund. However, Governor Rashidi Ladoja, after series of meetings agreed to pay the 142% on conditions that are being worked out by the Ministry of Finance.
“It must be noted that the issue of 30% ,150% and 142% pension increase has been on since the period of the military and therefore the present government cannot be held responsible for the nonpayment of the pension arrears,’’ the statement added.
Hundreds of members of NUP in Oyo had trooped to the secretariat early in the morning and prevented workers from resuming for work by preventing them from entering into the state secretariat.
The NUP members led by state chairman, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, also barricaded the six entrances to the state secretariat until they were able to meet with the deputy governor and SSG who assured them that their demands would be met. After the meeting the pensioners were told to come for
another meeting with the governor next week Tuesday
with a firm assurance that their demands would be met
that day.
Posted by Publisher at June 30, 2005 05:11 PM
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