Benin: Retired Teachers Receive N1bn Gratuity After 14 Years

After fourteen years of being owed retired local government teachers, Governor Monday Okpebholo, has released of the sum of N1billion for payment of gratuity to the affected teachers and local government workers.

The payment, according to chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Alhaji Adjoto Kabiru, is the first tranche of gratuity payment for retired teachers and local government workers.

Alhaji Adjoto, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City, commended Governor Okpebholo, for his commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees.

The former Edo Speaker said Governor Okpebholo has demonstrated strong political will to confronting long-standing challenges affecting pensioners and retirees in the state.

He thanked the retirees for their patience, understanding, and continued faith in government despite the delays experienced over the years.

According to him, “It is pertinent to note that the payment of gratuities being addressed will capture retirees from 2012 and other outstanding sets. This responsibility comes with a significant financial burden on government due to the significant increase in the number of retirees and the consequential financial burden arising from successive minimum wage increases.

“Despite these challenges, the present administration has remained resolute in its determination to ensure that those who served the state meritoriously are not forgotten and that their legitimate entitlements are progressively settled.

“Let me therefore assure our retirees and the general public that with the renewed commitment of the present administration under the SHINE Agenda, the process of gratuity payment will henceforth be more regular and systematic than what was previously obtainable. Administrative work is currently ongoing and deserving beneficiaries will be invited to collect their cheques in the coming days.”

Chairman of Local Government Retirees, Comrade Mike Olekiale, urged the governor to continue the payment to lift up the suffering pensioners.

Spokesman for Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Pastor Claudiette Ehanire, said the local government retirees deserved to have a bureau that would be in charge of their welfare.

“We are happy but not too fully happy because we have been abandoned for too long. The governor has out smiles on our faces. We want a Bureau in charge of local government pensioners. We want to the Governor to put somebody in charge.”