PUTTING SMILES ON THE FACES OF PENSIONERS IN EKITI STATE: THE JOURNEY SO FAR UNDER BAO ADMINISTRATION.

PUTTING SMILES ON THE FACES OF PENSIONERS IN EKITI STATE: THE JOURNEY SO FAR UNDER BAO ADMINISTRATION.          By: Wole Adeleye.

One of the problems in our society today is the inability of civil servants to receive their terminal benefits immediately after retiring from the service. This is not peculiar to Nigeria but news around the world indicates that it is a problem in most developing countries of the world. It is what creates fear in the minds of civil servants when their retirement days are near. More often than not, you find civil servants manipulating and falsifying their records to prolong their stay in the service because of the fear of the unknown that comes after retirement.

Before this administration came into being, the story of pensioners in Ekiti State has not been a palatable one. Many are yet to receive their terminal benefits more than a decade after their retirement from the service. As at today, the pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme in the Local Government Pension Transitional Arrangement Department are still being owed five months arrears of pension and unpaid gratuity in excess of N20billion.

It should be noted however that the present administration in Ekiti State under the leadership of Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji inherited this problem as the task of defraying the accumulated gratuities by successive administrations has been a reoccurring decimal in the last 13 years.

However, it would appear this administration is well prepared for the act of governance as matters relating to the welfare of the senior citizens in general occupy a premium place in its working scheme. It is on record that the Governor, while campaigning for votes as a gubernatorial candidate had assured the senior citizens that their welfare would be of priority to his government if voted into power. It was said that the members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) had laid bare their challenges including the indebtedness of government to them and their determination to thumb the ballot for the right candidate that would meet their yearnings and aspirations.

Today, in less than 8months into his administration, the compassionate Governor has started fulfilling his promise. He has been meeting the heart desires of the senior citizens by taking bold steps to address their problems. Payment of pension has been regular while clearing of the backlog of gratuity has begun.

During the 100days anniversary of his administration, it was not only physical infrastructural projects alone that were commission. The milestone also brought joy to the hearts of many pensioners who had literarily lost hope of being paid their gratuity. The Lady Jibowu Hall of the Governor’s office was agog with a crowd of pensioners who were invited to receive their gratuity cheques. Their relatives were also present beaming smiles in colourful attires at the event.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor empathized with the beneficiaries some of whom had retired from the service over a decade ago for receiving their entitlement late. He also congratulated them for being alive to receive the benefit despite the delay. He affirmed the commitment of his administration to their welfare at all times and assured that the payment of the backlog of gratuity would be looked into. The Governor did not just present the cheques to the beneficiaries and rush unto other waiting schedules but he took his time to identify with the old men and women. He hugged and danced with them as if they were his biological parents.

On that day, a sum of N160million was disbursed to sixty-nine beneficiaries comprising forty-one retired local government workers, next-of-kin of eight deceased local government workers, thirteen retired primary school teachers and next-of-kin of seven deceased primary school teachers at the event.

As a confirmation of his determination to put smiles to the faces of the retired senior citizens, the next big move by the Governor was the setting up of a committee comprising stakeholders and officials of government charged with the task of producing a blueprint for settling the humongous backlog of gratuity owed the retired workers. The committee headed by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance is still at work making extensive consultations and pragmatic boardroom crafting.

Within a twinkle of an eye, the 200days anniversary of the BAO administration came calling in early May this year. The invitation of another round of retirees to receive their gratuity cheques was part of the programs lined up to mark the important milestone. The presentation took place in the Conference Hall of the Governor’s office where the sum of N215million was disbursed to 76 pensioners. The beneficiaries were made up of 26 retired primary school teachers and 50 retired local government workers including the next-of-kin of those that were already deceased. Looking at the beneficiaries on this particular day with cheques in their hands, you would see extreme gladness in them.

Worthy of note was a particular scene during the presentation of cheques. Mr. Governor engaged one of the beneficiaries on what he would do with his money as soon as he cashed it. The retiree answered that his life-long dream had been to have a good mattress in his bedroom on which he, together with his wife, could have a comfortable sleep. He said he was going to buy it as soon as he cashed his money. The Governor was moved with pity with this response and instantly placed an order for a new mattress and beddings which were brought immediately and were presented to the retiree before the program ended.   

Part of the demands placed before Mr. Governor by the pensioners and which often recounts as nursery rhymes is the outstanding six months arrears of pension from March to August 2018. As they expressed appreciation to the Governor for paying their gratuity with one side of the mouth, they also use the other side to remind him of the outstanding pension arrears.  The Governor, being a compassionate leader, had started defraying the arrears as that of March 2018 had been paid. It is reliably gathered that plans are underway to pay that of April 2018 very soon.

Right now, the clock is ticking for the 300 hundred days anniversary of this administration. As the milestone is fast approaching and since the Governor has revived the forgotten hope of a good life after retirement, new sets of retirees will bask in the shower of joy and smile to the bank on that day.   

It is important to state that the Local Government Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) has a key role to play in the implementation of the policies of the BAO Administration. The Governor’s vision is clear. His passion to make life worthy of living for the senior citizens is pure and undiluted. Therefore, PTAD that is responsible for the processing of retirement benefits, preparation of monthly payroll of pensioners and other documentations relating to the Defined Benefits Scheme must key into the vision of Mr. Governor by rendering prompt service to the retirees. The staff of the Department must be dedicated to duty with consciousness for integrity, loyalty, accountability and efficiency in the service they render. Beyond this, they also need to be compassionate and tender when attending to the senior citizens.

The effort of the management of the PTAD under the leadership of the Executive Secretary, Mr. Foluso Akinwumi, at ensuring that the Department is efficient in its operation and at rendering prompt service to the retirees is highly commendable. Not minding the not-so-conducive atmosphere in which they work majorly like shortage of office accommodation, the management has provided effective leadership and has demonstrated resourcefulness in managing men and materials to achieve desired results. Moving forward, it is hoped that the PTAD will not deviate from the culture of excellent service delivery that has promoted friendly relationship between staff of the Department, retirees and intending retirees.

Mr Foluso Akinwumi, Executive Secretary PTAD.

Conclusively, judging from the achievements of this administration in terms of welfare of retirees within just eight months of tenure, it can be said unequivocally that the government is on course. The giant strides taken so far in addressing their welfare has definitely and significantly improved their happiness coefficient. It is now that the senior citizens and confidently say tha t rest is sweet after labour.

Wole Adeleye, Director of Information and Civic Orientation, LG PTAD.