The Edo State Government has expressed the commitment of the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki to solve the pension problem in the state and called for patience among pensioners as the government overcomes the challenges.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, noted that the government has shown good faith by addressing two of the three major issues affecting pensioners in the state.
“It is instructive to note that when the Obaseki administration assumed office in 2016, the challenges related to pensions were three-pronged. These include unpaid pension arrears amounting to over N4 billion; Failure to harmonize pension payments and the issue of outstanding gratuities have retiree debt.
“The problem dates back to 2010 and the then government failed to address the challenge, resulting in the accumulation of pension arrears and gratuities. It must be emphasized that the problem predates the current administration.
“Of the three major challenges facing pensioners in Edo State, the Obaseki government has taken bold steps to address two and is working hard to address the last one, which is to clear the exorbitant gratuities.”
According to him, the government has cleared the arrears and ensured the implementation of the Contribution Pension Scheme so as not to repeat the bad experience and has also harmonized pension payments, which have lingered for over 20 years.
“We call on pensioners in the country to be patient and show good faith because the government’s commitment to their welfare is beyond doubt.”