Bayelsa Pensions Board Denies Bribery Allegations

The Bayelsa State Pensions Board has dismissed claims that it demands a percentage of retirees’ gratuity payments before processing them.

The board’s permanent secretary, Mrs. Tariworio Douglas Samson, issued a statement yesterday describing the allegations as baseless and unfounded.

Mrs. Samson clarified that the Pensions Board has never requested money from pensioners in exchange for processing their gratuities. She assured retirees and the public that the Board’s processes remain free of corruption and strictly adhere to due process.

“The Bayelsa State Pensions Board do not and has never requested for money before gratuity is paid to pensioners”, she said.

The permanent secretary

urged the public to disregard the rumors and assured pensioners that the Board is focused on ensuring the timely and fair payment of gratuities. She further called on individuals with genuine grievances or evidence of misconduct to come forward with credible proof to enable proper investigations.

She said: “It has come to the notice of the Bayelsa State Pensions Board of allegations going around that the Board collects a certain percentage of money before gratuity is paid to retirees, the Board is emphatically refuting such allegations.

“However the Board has always discouraged retirees from patronising agents or anyone who request for money to help process gratuity or any form of payment due pensioners in the state.

“The Board wishes to warn strongly persons parading themselves as representatives or agents of the Board to desist from such illegal acts as anyone caught will face the full brunt of the law.

“Also the Board will like to encourage media houses to investigate and confirm allegations before airing such as any attempt to tarnish the good image of the Board with unverified news will be taken up with appropriate authorities.

“The Bayelsa State Pensions Board is a government establishment, and is open to answering whatever questions media houses might have.

“Further, the Board wishes to assure retirees in the state of Governor Douye Diri-led Prosperity Administration’s total commitment towards the welfare of retirees in the state.

“Governor Diri is fully committed to ensuring that every retiree in the state receives their gratuity in full in due time. This has been made evident through various policies, especially with the recent release of additional funds to further reduce the backlog of gratuity payments.

“Retirees are however strongly advised against patronizing persons who promise to help them secure the payment of their gratuity in exchange for a certain percentage; as such persons are opportunists preying on the desperation of pensioners in the state.”