By Valentine Amanze
Edo State government has released N1.5 billion for the payment of arrears of local government pensioners in the state.
This in fulfillment of the promise made by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during the 2018 Workers’ Day celebration in Benin City.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jimoh Ijegbai, disclosed this in Benin City on Friday, while addressing the association of local government pensioners.
Ijegbai explained that the N1.5 billion released by the governor covers eight months arrears of 4,340 local government pensioners in the state.
“You will recall that on May 1, 2018, during the May Day celebration, the governor made a promise to release N1.5 billion to clear part of the local government pensioners’ arrears in the state. I am glad to announce to you that the money has been released for immediate payment.”
He said that after the announcement by the governor, a meeting with the pensioners was called and the screening of the pensioners commenced.
“That screening has been completed and we are now ready to pay our pensioners their arrears.”
The commissioner noted that the release of the huge sum of money by the governor to pay pension arrears was unprecedented in the history of Edo State, adding that since Obaseki assumed duty, he has not defaulted in the payment of monthly pension.
“As at today, we pay N264 million monthly to offset pensioners’ entitlements in the state, and we will continue to pay until we clear the outstanding arrears,” he assured.
The President of Local Government Pensioners’ Association (Edo State), Frank Akinido, thanked the governor for keeping to his promise to pay pensioners their arrears and for remembering them in the scheme of things.
He assured the governor that the state local government pensioners were peace-loving citizens.
