…Gov Abiodun Says Over N128.3bn Paid As Pensions, Gratuities
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday said that his administration would do all in its power to come up with a decision on the new minimum wage.
To achieve this, the governor said a meeting with labour leaders in the state would be held with a view to arriving at a decision that is favourable to both the government and the workers.
Abiodun, who made this known during the year 2024 Worker’s Day celebration and rally, tagged: ‘People First’, hinted that the administration paid a total of N128.3 billion as pensions and gratuities to both local and state government retirees in the state.
He said: “On minimum wage, your ever responsive administration has done a lot of work, which is aimed at arriving at a position that we can sustain in line with our inclusive style of governance. We will soon be calling a meeting with the organized labour leaders to finalize the Ogun State Government Minimum decision.
According to him, the administration has paid N2.8 billion as leave bonuses to workers, with the bonus entitlement for the year 2023 and January to March 2024 as well as N13.4 billion outstanding deductions have been paid to workers.
While also noting that his administration has paid over N8 billion as palliatives to state government workers and pensioners, Abiodun added that car and motorcycle refurbishing loans have been increased by 100 per cent by his administration.
The governor further disclosed that about 10,982 civil servants had benefitted from the loan scheme with about N1.3 billion disbursed so far just as his administration has also consistently provided a N10,000 transport allowance to all civil servants for the past nine months, totaling N8 billion.
The governor further clarified: “We are diligently remitting the backlog of inherited deductions and have consistently paid the agreed outstanding deductions. These deductions that have been paid up to March 2024 have totalled about N13.4billion since I assumed office.
“We continue to pay pension and gratuity to both state and local governments, totalling approximately N118.7billion and N9.6 billion, respectively, for a total of N128.3billion.
“Payment of leave bonuses for all beneficiaries at the state, local and SUBEB amounting to about N2.9 billion.
“It is important to state that bonus entitlement for 2023 and from January to March 2024 have all been paid. Payment on palliatives for state government staff, parastatals, corporations, institutions, and pensioners totalling about N8 billion.
“The car and motorcycle refurbishing loans have been increased by 100 per cent, providing enhanced financial support for all civil servants.
“Up to March 2024, about 10,982 civil servants have benefitted from the loan scheme with about N1 billion disbursed,” he added.
The governor also spoke on the payment of 40% basic salary of workers in the state as Peculiar Allowance, adding that Ogun Teach interns will after two years minimum meritorious service get migrated into the mainstream of the civil service.
He explained: “I directed last year that TESCOM and SUBEB engage additional 2000 OgunTEACh interns, increasing the total number of interns engaged to 4,000 out of 5000 target …I directed that 1000 of the interns that have served more than two years and have been evaluated and found worthy be absorbed into mainstream civil service
“I have now decided to turn this into a policy going forward, Ogun TeacH interns will now after 2 years minimum meritorious service and passing evaluation will be migrated into mainstream civil service”, Abiodun stressed.
While noting that he has directed the Head of Service to start the process of appointing Principal Generals to fill the vacant offices, the governor said that his administration had updated and reviewed the Public Service Rules and Financial Instructions for the first time in over two decades.
Abiodun also said that his administration expanded its health insurance coverage with the introduction of the ‘Ileradapo’ scheme for the state workforce and the public, noting that over 70,000 people have benefited from the health scheme, with over 1,500 surgeries done so far free of charge.
He expatiated: “We have expanded our health insurance coverage with the “Ileradapo” scheme, benefiting all state workers and the public, and I can proudly say that over 70,000 beneficiaries have participated in the scheme. Furthermore, over 1,500 free surgeries have been performed to date.
“Under the Ibidero Scheme, we offer comprehensive support for pregnant women, including free pre-natal and post-natal care, and an additional N5,000 per birth in our state hospitals and primary health care centers,” the governor added.
In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment Barrister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, represented by the state controller, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Nnambi Enuah restated the commitment of the present administration to continue to pursue policies and programmes that prioritizes the rights of workers in the country.
She further said that the federal government in order to mitigate the consequences of some of its recent policies have rolled out palliatives like the wage award, Presidential Constitutional Grant Scheme, grant for large manufacturers, loans for small and medium businesses, consumer’s credit scheme, among others, urging workers to continue to renew their strength and renew their commitment and support to government at all levels.
Also, the state chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, called on the government to address unemployment and the high cost of living in the country.
He commended the governor for his leadership capability and response to doing what was necessary in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government
Photo Caption
State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hammed Benco-Ademola; Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, during the 2024 May Day celebration and rally at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, where the governor was presented with the Best Friendly Governor Award by labour leaders in the state.
