Oyo Government Offsets N18billion Gratuities, Pensions in Three Years

The Oyo State government said it has paid over N18billion in gratuities and pensions from 2019 till date, as affirmation of its commitment to the welfare of pensioners and workers in the state.

He said it would boost saving power to improve the economy of the state.

The State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, ‘Siju Lawal, stated this while featuring on a live television interview of the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), in Ibadan.

Lawal said Governor Seyi Makinde is most committed to the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities of retirees, and state workers generally, asserting that the governor has been able to fulfill its campaign promise of making life comfortable for workers and retirees.

He said: “When our administration came on board, there were lots of problems, part of which is the accumulated unpaid debt of N55.9billion of gratuities and pensions inherited from the last administration between year 2011 and 2019. We have paid over N18billion from the debt across the state and the payment is continuous.” 

He stressed that the Ministry of Establishments and Training has been able to pay N7.1billion to 2,400 beneficiaries, noting that the state government has been able to do those and many more due to increase in Internally Generated Revenues and blockage of other financial loopholes that had been affecting the rate of generating revenue.

Speaking on the issue of contributory pension scheme in which states were mandated to contribute 10 percent of monthly emoluments while the employee contributes eight percent, the commissioner said the state government was looking into the scheme in order to know the prospects, benefits, transparency and continuity in the future.

On training of civil and public servants, Lawal said that the state government trains and re-trains in conformity with cadres in the civil service, while the retirees were trained on financial management, health and medical routine check up.

Responding to the issue of conversion of officers to different cadres, he revealed that over 1,000 conversion requests sent to the Ministry of Establishments and Training were undergoing documentations.

He advised civil and public servants to reciprocate the good deeds of Governor Seyi Makinde through commitment, dedication and punctuality at their places of work.