The Ekiti state head of service Barrister Bamidele Agbede says the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is rapidly fulfilling the dreams, aspirations and expectations of Ekiti people particularly the state workforce and retirees.
Agbede made this known during the distribution of cheques of N915m cheques to 289 pensioners who retired in the state civil service local government and primary school retirees in the state at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
The HOS who said that the administration had since inception adopted a speed train movement explained that Governor Oyebanji was bent on making good policies and enhancing quality of life, noting that he had continually demonstrated a genuineness of purpose and willingness of heart to restore dignity to the class of the elder citizens who sacrificed their active years contributing to the growth and development of the State.
Agbede thanked the Governor for working his talk and for fulfilling his electioneering promise to the retirees, particularly initiating a committee to address the long-time huge debt of gratuity owed the senior citizens who had served the state meritoriously, noting that being able to come to term with the pensioners was a testament to the Governor’s quality leadership and conflict management.
He charged the beneficiaries to utilize the money wisely by using it to take good care of their health to improve the quality of their lives.
He also lauded the management of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) at both state and local government levels for the hard work and transparency deployed in processing the disbursement which was on the basis of first-to-retire, first-to-be-paid.
He charged them to sustain the tempo as instructed by the Governor whom he said would not any partiality of any kind.
As at March 2023, the gratuity liability of the State is 20,637,947,418.35K billion, owed 9369 pensioners. These liabilities cover retired State Civil Servants, Secondary School Teachers, Judicial Service Commission, House of Assembly, Parastatals (BSES, Sport Council, Water Corporation, Housing Corporation, WATSAN).
Several efforts had been made by successive administration in the State to defray the huge gratuity liability, but the hugeness, though, still intimidating is not unsurmountable.
I thank God because your hope of getting your gratuity after years of meritorious service to the State is not dashed. I salute your perseverance which has kept you thus far. Today, your waiting is not in vain, as God has made it happen.
The commitment of the State Government which culminated in today’s event is commendable. The Governor has continually demonstrated genuineness of purpose and willingness of heart to restore dignity to the class of the elder citizens who sacrificed their active years to contributing to the growth and development of our dear state.
This is not a free money; it is the sweat of your long time labour. Therefore, you are admonished to make judicious use of it. I wish to remind you to only invest in less laborious ventures that can give you satisfaction and good yields at this period of your age.
I want to believe that the event of today is a re-assurance for those in the waiting list to have their hope rekindled that Government is on course to give them a new lease of life.
Government had set up a committee comprising the NUP and other relevant stakeholders to come up with a working strategy that could be employed in offsetting the outstanding gratuities.
The reports and recommendations of the committee are still being awaited.
I want to specially commend the elders’ friendly Governor for walking the talk and fulfilling his electioneering promises to the retirees.
There is no gainsaying the fact that, within the last six month, the government has proved to every doubting Thomas that no mountain is insurmountable to a man of purpose and a goal-getter, as exemplified in the kind disposition of the Governor to the welfare and wellbeing of the pensioners.
The Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Department, Mr E. B Omotoso thanked the Governor for the gesture. He promised that the Department will not compromise the stand of fairness it has taken.
He congratulated the beneficiaries and charged them to make good use of the fund.