Amaka Obiefuna

The Government of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has successfully paid over N41billion to pensioners  through the Ministry of establishments, Training and Pensions. The beneficiaries are those who retired under the Pay As You Go Scheme, the government  has also paid N25.8 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of 5, 956 retiress under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in 2 years.

Dr. Akintola Benson, the commissioner, Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pension, made this known while rendering account of the Governor’s activities of the ministry at a briefing to mark the 2^nd anniversary of the inauguration of Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

He said the Lagos State Government’s funding of employees’ pension rights under the CPS in a period of 10 years is approximately N138. 41 billion. He revealed that the Civil Service Pensions Office (CSPO) which is saddled with the responsibility of pensioners under the old scheme has a record pensioner population of 8512 in the Main Stream as at April, 2017.

Dr. Akintola stated that the total sum of N1. 84 billion was paid as pensions from 31st May, 2016 to 30th April, 2017.

During the period of 2 year under review, he said the office achieved 3 years arrears of 142 per cent pension increase paid in November, 2015 to pensioners who retired on or before April 2000.

He also said the increases of 6 per cent and 15 per cent on monthly pensions were also paid in January 2015 to those who retired on or before October 1, 2003 and January 1, 2007 respectively while N3.87 billion was paid as pensions which varied monthly.

He said: “In November 2015, Civil Service Pensions Office facilitated and completed the payment of severance, pensions and gratuity to 73 disengaged staff of the defunct Eko Today to the tune of N37. 17 billion.

“The office forwarded 128 Lagos State pensioners with Federal shares complaints ranging from short payment of gratuity and arrears to stoppage of monthly pensions to the Director-General, Pensions Transition Arrangement Department Office, Abuja.”

On CPS, the Commissioner said backlog of terminal entitlements of retirees has been reduced within a 9 month period.

“For instance between May 2016 to May, 2017,  the State Government through LASPEC paid the sum of N11, 754 billion into the RSA of 2,886 retirees. 1,291 of the retirees were from the Local Government and SUBEB, 697 from TEPO, 887 from the Mainstream service and 11 from Parastatals.  The State Government through LASPEC from August 2015 to March, 2017 paid the sum of N25.8 billion into the RSA of 5,956 retirees drawn from the Local Government and SUBEB, TEPO, Mainstream and Parastatals.

“This administration has not relented in the bailout of the Local Government & State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) retirees. The Governor magnanimously gave instructions for State government funds to be utilized to pay retirees from the Local governments. The Parastatals that have enjoyed pension bailout include Lagos State Water Corporation, Radio Lagos/Eko F.M; Lagos Television Authority; Lagos State Printing Corporation; Adeniran College of Education; Centre For Rural Development (CERUD); Lagos State Sport Council; Lagos State Agric Input and Supply; Lagos State Council for Arts & Culture and Lagos State Agric Development Authority.

“In essence, since the commencement of the Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation in 2010, on over 13,365 retirees, deceased and withdrawn staff, the State Government has paid accrued pension rights of about N59, 821.560 billion. Furthermore, there have been regular deductions of 7.5% from the salaries of staff and corresponding 7.5 per cent by the State Government into RSAs maintained by them with their appointed PFAs. As at March, 2017, these deductions have cumulatively risen to N78, 592 billion approximately since the inception of the scheme in 2007. In total, Lagos State Government’s funding of employees’ pension rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme in a period of 10 years is approximately N138, 413.560 billion”, he added.