Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Oyebanji also disclosed that the sum of N12,569,562, 242.00 had been paid as pensions since he assumed office while a cumulative sum of N2.3 billion has been paid as gratuity to retired senior citizens, apart from the gratuity already paid to local government retirees.
The governor said the state government will meet the leadership of the organised labour in the state as soon as the new minimum wage is passed into law.
Oyebanjo spoke on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti while presenting N1 billion gratuity arrears cheques to the 450 next batch of beneficiaries among the state retirees covering April 14 to July 14, 2024.
“Once the President signed it into law it will be done. I don’t want to get into the issue of people saying this and that. I don’t want it like that. Once it becomes a law, we will sit down with the labour and talk about it. But the only thing I want you to know is that, I am here to serve you. Just let’s wait at the appropriate time, all will be well and I promised that I am not going to disappoint you.
He appreciated the leadership and members of the state chapter of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) whom he described as major pillar of support to his administration.
“I appreciate your prayers, understanding and cooperation with us as we cut through the chase of challenges that confront us as a people.
“You all served the state diligently; so you deserved to earn your terminal benefits as at when due. Let me apologise to you on behalf of the State for the delay that you have endured before today. As elder statesmen, your welfare is always a priority to this administration; that is why your monthly pension has been on the first line charge.
“Today and in this batch, we are paying out a total sum a N1 billion only to this batch, while continuing with the monthly gratuity payment of N20,000,000.00 to both state and local government pensioners.
“I am assuring those on the waiting list to keep hope alive as government is doing everything possible to see that more people are paid very soon,” the governor pledged.
The ultimate objective of government, according to him, is to completely liquidate all gratuity arrears in a short distant time, adding that retirees are not left behind in the payment of wage award to Ekiti government workers.
“Similarly, I am glad to mention that we have cleared all arrears of pension owed state pensioners totaling N1,140,943,594.38 earlier in the year, while about N150,000,000.00 outstanding deductions has been paid,” he said.
He, however, appealed to public servants still in service to subscribe to the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as introduced, which will help in ending the challenges associated with Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
“The burden of gratuity payment is quite enormous but the CPS guarantees a more seamless and quick payment pattern,” Governor Oyebanji stressed.
He said the transformational work going on in the state is in the interest of all and sundry, pledging that in due time, everyone shall celebrate together.
The Chairman of NUP in the state, Elder Joel Akinola who expressed gratitude to the governor said he shocked them by his actions on pension payment.
“It has been regular, not only regular but it has been prompt since you came on board. You are giving us hope. Many of our members have died. By identifying with us shows your sense of humility and respect for the elderly.”
In their separate remarks, the NLC Chairman in the state, Kolapo Olatunde and his TUC counterpart, Sola Adigun appreciated the governor for the payment of the pension arrears.
They further called on the governor to expedite action on the implementation of the new minimum wage with its consequential adjustments to all, including the retirees.
