Labour Leaders , Pensioners Commend Gov Abdulrazaq As Kwara Govt Begins Payment Of Retirement Benefits To Former LG Workers

Kwara State Government on Wednesday began the payment of arrears of gratuity to at least 1,025 local government pensioners, who retired from local governments in the state  between 2009 and 2010 , with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq promising to continue to make life bearable for all the  citizens.

Abdulrazaq’s  Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that the governor said this  in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during  the flag off ceremony of the exercise.

The governor  said after taking office,  his administration had  set up a machinery to restore the lost glory of the system, most especially prompt payment of salaries, pension and continued release of funds for gratuity payments as a way of changing things for the  better.

‘Distinguished senior citizens, you are all aware of the pathetic situation the present administration met on  the ground most especially the local government administration where salaries, pension and gratuity payments were not assured and even when they were paid it’s usually amputated (Geri- Gedi)’ the Governor said. 

The state government had earlier in a press statement announced that the N3.5bn SURE-P Refund  will be used for the payment of retirement benefits to  the retired workers, a step he said, was in line with his administration’s commitment to using any extra funds to steadily offset the arrears owed to the SUBEB and local government workers and other categories of persons owed by the past administration, believing that it is their legitimate right. 

‘At this juncture, we are all aware that Government is a continuum, both in asset and liability, I want to tell you that the present administration inherited humongous arrears running into several billions of naira, ranging from gratuities to pension and arrears of salary payments’ he said.

Represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon Lafia Aliyu Sabi, the Governor said the kind  gesture clearly demonstrated  that his  administration takes the welfare of the serving and retired workers  seriously . 

‘I am very much aware, and our distinguished senior citizens can also testify to the positive narratives we are all celebrating today including the restoration of  a timely payment of salaries; implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage and consequential adjustment; provision of funds for capital projects; defrayment of gratuities as funds are available’  he added. 

The governor  appealed to the remaining pensioners – from 2011 down the line, to be calm and patient with the government, assuring them that they will be captured in the nearest future. 

In attendance were the Chairman of the state Local Service Commission , Alhaji Umar Danladi Shero;  the governor’s Senior Special Adviser  on Labour Matters , Comrade Abdulkareem Onagun;  Chairman ,Kwara TV Board, Alhaji Ahmed Adio; SAs Political for Central and North, Alhaji Suleiman Abubakar and Hon Abdulkareem Yusuf, among other dignitaries. 

Shero said the present administration inherited a lot of backlog of gratuity arrears from the past governments, which he noted, was very alarming and heartfelt considering the agony the old citizens had been made to  pass through. 

He said since the inception of this administration, the state government had taken it upon itself to ensure that some of the stresses and agonies the pensioners go through in the state are drastically reduced. 

‘Since  this administration came on board  in 2019, the release of N20 million was raised to N100 million monthly to continually settle the backlog of gratuity arrears which were distributed to the pensioners monthly to cushion the effect of economic hardships and see to the needs of the  pensioners’  he said. 

He appreciated AbdulRazaq for his untiring efforts to make sure that the pensioners’  dreams of receiving  retirement benefits  come to fruition by this singular  kind gesture of releasing funds for  such purpose  on a monthly basis. 

Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Kwara State branch, Comrade Saidu Oladimeji, praised the Governor’s wisdom and the uncommon love his administration has for the senior citizens. 

Some of the recipients, who spoke at the event, including  Mr. Samuel Abifarin Adewara (from Irepodun LG); Mrs Ajibade Moradeke (Ilorin West); Mrs Funke Mercy and Mrs Hammed Risikat Tope, thanked AbdulRazaq for his administration’s  impactful programmes and policies, praying God to continue to lead them aright- Team@orientactualmags.com
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