- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
Determined to ensure speedy payment of retirement benefits to workers who bowed out of the service after years of meritorious service, the Ekiti State Government, has disbursed a staggering sum of N30.5 million to 30 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) of the State Public Service.
Distributing the Payment Documents to the beneficiaries in Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, promised that no retiree will be denied of his inalienable benefits after retiring from the service of the state in line with his policy.
The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, disclosed that the beneficiaries represent the fourth batch that received payments under the CPS, describing the policy as a game changer that will help in buffering the sufferings of the pensioners.
Speaking about the kernel of the scheme, Oyebanji said the CPS was conceptualised to ensure future financial security for the retirees, assuring that his government won’t dash the hope of pensioners or make them wait for too long before savouring their benefits.
“Considering the tremendous success the CPS had recorded in Ekiti State, efforts are on top gear to expand the coverage of the scheme by migrating all public servants, except those who will be retiring before 31st December, 2028 and the Justices from the Defined Benefit Scheme(DBS) to CPS.
“The DBS which had become unfashionable all over the world, is bedeviled with the problem of huge arrears of unpaid gratuity among other challenges that have rendered the scheme unsustainable.
“But the CPS is designed in such a way that when employees retire, they get their retirement benefits promptly. The CPS has come to stay in Ekiti. Since its inception, retirees under the scheme had been enjoying their retirement benefits without delay.
“Let me assure you of the commitment of Ekiti State government to the welfare of all workforce and the good people of the state”.
Oyebanji urged the beneficiaries to refrain from financial profligacy or indulgence in acts that could rob them of the benefit by being prudent, cautious and focus in their spendings after being paid the entitlements.
Applauding the governor for prioritising the welfare of pensioners, the Chairman, Ekiti chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners(NUP), Com. Joel Akinola, said Governor Oyebanji had demonstrated enough love for his members through prompt payment of their gratuities, urging them to reciprocate the gesture by being supportive to the current government.
“It was like Governor Biodun Oyebanji is a God sent to pensioners. With the way he has been prioritising our welfare. The governor has tried and we are happy with him. Governor Oyebanji was sent to deliver pensioners from sufferings. He is here to flesh up our bones and give us good lives.
“We should all complement Governor Oyebanji’s gesture by investing this money wisely. Don’t squander this opportunity. Invest in something that can give you gains. Eat well and prioritise your health needs, so that your labour won’t be in vain”, Akinola stated.
In his submission, the Special Advisor on Pension Matters to the Governor, Com. Pius Owolabi, disclosed that Governor Oyebanji was responding positively to the Pensioners’ slogan that “Rest is Sweet After Payment” with expeditious payment of all benefits due to retirees.
Owolabi said the CPS under Oyebanji won’t be aborted nor scuttled through anti-pensioner policies, describing the governor as retiree-friendly and a strong believer in the doctrine of commensurate reward for those who had worked hard during their productive days to serve Ekiti State.
The Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Pension Commission, Mrs Omotola Faseluka, described the CPS as a universal cure to the recurrent and painful cases of prolonged indebtedness of retirement benefits, saying Oyebanji shall work in tandem with the kernel of the policy to make lives more abundant for pensioners.
Faseluka added that the payment was a confident- booster and strong indication that the current government maintains high proclivity to fulfilling its obligations to the senior citizens, by keeping to the prompt payment of benefits under the CPS.
