Ekiti State Government Restates Strong Commitment To The Welfare Of Pensioners

Ekiti State Government, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the welfare, dignity and wellbeing of pensioners in the State, through deliberate, transparent and sustained interventions since the inception of this administration.

The State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, explained that the clarification is to correct the misinformation and rumors circulating in some quarters.

Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun stressed that “for the avoidance of doubt and contrary to insinuations in some quarters, Governor Oyebanji’s administration has made remarkable progress in addressing long-standing pensions and gratuity challenges, inherited from previous years, through a methodical and humane approach”.

Olatunbosun noted that since assumption of office, the Governor has paid almost four years’ equivalent of gratuity arrears, covering outstanding gratuities from 2012 to 2014 at the LGA and 2012 through 2016 for State and Local Government retirees, as well as gratuities of Corporations and Parastatals up to 2020 in some cases with payments executed on a “first-in, first-out” basis to ensure fairness and equity.

He stated that “as at date, it is remarkable that no pension arrears is currently owed to pensioners in Ekiti State with a total ₦55.8 billion already paid as monthly pensions to 21,212 pensioners across the State”. A cumulative total of 15.6 billion Naira had also been paid in gratuities to pensioners.

“In addition, the administration cleared inherited pension arrears of three months at the State level and seven months at the Local Government level, amounting to ₦3.83 billion, covering the years 2016, 2017 and 2018”.

The Commissioner added that “Governor Oyebanji is very mindful of the fact that gratuity obligations are continuous, as public servants retire monthly which informed the State Government’s firm commitment to the Contributory Pension Scheme as part of efforts to guarantee retirees quicker access to their entitlements as well as reduce the burden of accumulated arrears”.

According to him, the State Government which statutorily contributes 10% as employer’s contribution, and has so far paid ₦1.5 billion into the scheme.

Olatunbosun stated that “beyond pensions and gratuities, the administration has also cleared outstanding leave bonuses for the years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, with the aim of easing the burden on retirees” .

He also added that “there was a 15% pension review in 2014/2015, and in December 2024, Governor Oyebanji approved a ₦20,000 across-board increment, complementing the ₦32,000 increment approved at the national level, keeping Ekiti State competitive within the South-West region”.

He said that prior to the increment approved by the Federal Government, the Governor had already introduced a ₦10,000 presumptive palliative per pensioner, demonstrating proactive sensitivity to the economic realities faced by senior citizens.

Olatunbosun highlighted other notable interventions by the Oyebanji administration to include ₦20,000 Christmas bonus paid to all pensioners; donation of a Hummer bus to pensioners’ associations to ease mobility; introduction of a free health insurance scheme for all senior citizens, accessible at nearby Primary Health Care centres and voluntary financial contributions to pensioners’ association building projects.

“These facts are verifiable objective information that transcend mere opinion for future reference and historical accountability”.

“While the Government acknowledges that there is always room for greater interventions and remains committed to doing even more for its retired workforce, it is only fair and honorable that public discourse on these issues reflects the facts, the progress made, and the sincerity of purpose guiding this administration”.

“Governor Biodun Oyebanji remains deeply committed to ensuring that pensioners in Ekiti State are treated with respect, fairness and compassion, consistent with the values of a responsible and responsive government”, he assured.

Read more Ekiti State Pension News HERE

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