WE’VE PAID N82BN FOR PENSIONS, GRATUITIES IN THREE YEARS – GOV. ABIODUN
By Oabisi Adedamola
Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration has paid the sum of N82bn as pensions and gratuities to State and local government retirees between June, 2019 to June, 2022.
The governor who disclosed this during an interactive session with cross section of workers at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, noted that no payment was made for pension or gratuity in 2011, but his administration has paid N41bn each as pensions and gratuities to State and local government retirees in less than four years.
Governor Abiodun further stated that out of theN 18bm outstanding Global Deduction, his administration has paid the sum of N12bn, pledging that the balance of N6bn would be paid in the coming months.
The governor who attributed the inability of his government to pay the deductions and other worker’s entailments to increase in the wage bill of the State which amounts to N700m due to the implementation of the new minimum wage, maintained that his administration has in the last three and a half years explored various financial options rather than imposing additional taxes on the people.
“As you all know, our state was the first to implement the N30,000 minimum wage and this increase our monthly wage bill by N700m. This additional wage bill has affected our plan which was to settle all outstanding commitment with our work force”, he said.
Abiodun announced that processes for the 2021and 2022 promotion exercise would commence this week, pleading with the workers to be patient with his administration as their welfare still remain paramount.
His administration, the governor noted, has been fair in distributing projects to all parts of the State, disclosing that the ground breaking of the Sagamu-Papalanto road would be performed next week to further open up the State for more economic activities and gain the confidence of the organized private sector.
“When we came in about three years and seven months now, we were clear on what to do which was creating an enabling environment for the private sector participation in the economy of our state which in turn will create individual prosperity.
“We set out to do this through our ISEYA agenda. We did not only focused on one area of the State economy, but all areas. We have renovated schools and health facilities, build about 300 houses across the State and constructed 400km of roads across the State. I can assure you that with your support, we will do more”, the governor said.
He described the State work force as the engine room that has helped his administration in recording the modest achievements, including winning various Awards, calling for more partnership and collaboration to make the State better for the benefit of all.
Responding to question from Mr. Aregbesola Olarenwaju, a staff of Odogbolu Local Government Area, on the poor working condition and the need for the third tier of government to have financial autonomy, Prince Abiodun emphasized that his administration has not tampered with the local government funds, but instead argument them on monthly basis to enable them meet their constitutional responsibilities.
On the issue of outstanding leave bonus raised by another worker, the governor said a portion of the bonus would be paid along with the salaries from this month, calling on the workers to give his administration more time to address all their outstanding issues.
Earlier in his remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro, said the interactive session was called to enable workers have an interface with the governor on issues that affect the discharge of their duties and their welfare.
