“Kogi State Pension Commission is to digitalize its operations;” – Says DG, Mrs. Maryam Obedo
Kogi State Government has promised to look into issues raised by the state pensioners to make retirement more enjoyable and productive.
The State Head of Service, Mrs. Hannah Odiyo gave the assurance in a message to this year’s celebration of National Pensioners Day, held at the Union’s Secretariat Lokoja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in Charge of Establishment and Training, Mr.
Peter Ebiloma, Congratulated the Head of Service and the Pensioners on the occasion, saying after years of meritorious services, pensioners as senior citizens should live a life of fulfillment and pleasure.
She thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for the prompt payment and due attention given to pensioners, civil servants, assuring that Governor Bello has a similar commitment for the Local Government’s workers and pensioners.
In a remark, the Director-General State Pension Commission, Mrs. Maryam Obedo described Governor Bello as a retiree friendly Governor recalled that Bello personally told her to justify her appointment by putting smiles on the faces of the retirees.
The Director-General explained that a lot of innovations have been embarked upon in her tenure noting that those with severe health challenges on some occasions were helped to access their gratuities, however, warned those acting as middlemen to extort pensioners by promising to help them assess their gratuities emphasizing that the era of submitting authority letter through someone else is canceled or over.
Mrs. Obedo said pensioners are paid the same day as those in service and promised to brief Governor Bello on the grievances of the Local Government pensioners and workers.
The DG said her office would soon be digitalized to cater for current challenges including that of missing documents, time wasted in getting files as well as the amount paid or owed by the state government to individual pensioners.
In an address by the state Chairman of the Union, Engineer Clement Ohida expressed sincere appreciation to Governor Yahaya Bello for paying monthly pension allowance to Pensioners and the release of 100 million on monthly basis for gratuities.
He however expressed worry over the dehumanizing conditions of LG pensioners who are currently living on 35% of their entitlements.
Engineer Clement Ohida disclosed that the Bello-legal Government re-emphasizes being living on percentage payments since the inception of the Bello-led administration saying that there are no indications for the refund of the arrears of the percentage being paid as well as their gratuities since the inception of his administration.
Similarly, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Onu Edoka warned those paying lips services to the issues retiring to desist elaborating that soon majority will fall into the same situation after retiring.
He charged labor leaders and unionists to serve with the genuineness of purpose by taking issues of workers with utmost concern and disclosed that Governor Yahaya Bello is not aware of some of the predicaments of workers and pensioners.
Edoka demanded the implementation of the minimum wage, as well as the consequential adjustment of the pensioners of Kogi State.
He also called for the scrutiny of the idea of the contributory pension scheme saying such a decision should not be taken without executing full payment of salaries and promotion of workers.
