Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday reiterated his administration’s commitment to promoting the welfare of pensioners.
Addressing the leadership of the state branch of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Ilorin, the Governor said he will consider their requests for a vehicle and a permanent Secretariat.
“What you were given before was a certificate of temporary occupancy. They didn’t give you actual allocation, which meant that you were there temporarily and at the will of the government, they would move you. That’s why it was called CTO. Having said that, I’ll work with the Head of Service to make sure we find you a permanent place and we’ll sort out the issue of the rents you are currently paying. On the issue of the bus, we’ll sort that one out,” he said.
Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, for her part, said no pensioner in the state is being owed a dime, explaining the government is up-to-date with regard to payment of pension.
She also said the government continues to make provisions for gratuity on a steady basis.
“I will like to clarify that for those that have not received their pension between the period of 2015 and 2018 is because they didn’t come for verification,” she said.
Chairman of NUP, Comrade Mahmud Oladimeji Saidu, commended the Governor for prioritising the welfare of his members right from the inception of the administration, including the prompt payment of their pensions.
“Let me remind you, sir. When you came in, you met us with amputated salary, pensions (with payment of) 25 percent, 50 percent, and so on and so forth. When you came in, and we cried to you, you rescued us. You paid us all the outstanding amputated salaries running into more than four billions,” Comrade Saidu said.
“Furthermore, in those years, we got our pension, as the case may be, fortnight of the second month. Since May 2019 when you came in, we have been getting our salary on or before 25th of every month. You are not owing us any kobo. More grace to your elbow. Long life and prosperity.”
The meeting was attended by the Acting Head of Service Dr Mercy Olufunke Shittu; Senior Adviser and Counsellor Alhaji Sa’adu Salau; and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matter, Alhaji Abdulmumeen Onagun; Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon Suleiman Abubakar Sai kai; among others.
