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.
