As part of government efforts to reduce backlog of accumulated pensions owed retired primary school teachers and local government employees in Delta State, the state House of Assembly has approved the request for a credit facility of 40 billion naira to pay the pension arrears.
The request was contained in a letter to the House by the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori at the instance of the 25 local government councils of the state.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s letter to the State Assembly was read at plenary by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
Oborevwori stated that the credit facility was for the 25 local government councils in the state, aimed at assisting in defraying a substantial part of accrued rights of local government pensioners.
He disclosed that the approval was part of conditions relevant in accessing the facility, which is anticipated to help alleviate the plight of senior citizens of the state who served and retired at the local government level.
Oborevwori informed the House that a meeting was held in his office with local government council chairmen and other stakeholders, where it was unanimously resolved that a credit facility be sourced from commercial bank to pay the council retirees.
He told the lawmaker that Zenith Bank PLC has availed the 25 local government councils the facility in a prorated manner, in tune with their respective indebtedness to pensioners for which offer letters have been served to all the chairmen by the bank.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration in collaborating with the State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, to reduce the backlog of accumulated pensions owed retirees and enhance welfare of the people.
The House Majority Leader, Emeka Nwaobi while highlighting the need for the credit facility, said the challenge of backlog of retired local government workers’ pension and other benefits has been a major concern. He commended the Oborevwori-led administration for collaborating with ALGON towards changing the narratives for good.
Nwaobi stated that payment of backlogs owed the local government pensioners would put smiles on the faces of many homes in the state, particularly at this material time where cost of living rose astronomically as a result of the recent removal of fuel subsidy.
The Majority Leader maintained that the non-payment of pensions had in the past, sent greater percentage of retirees to their early grave, and stressed the need for the lawmakers to graciously approve the request to halt the ugly development.
In their remarks, the Minority Leader, Edafe Emakpor and the member representing Bomadi constituency, Oboro Preyor acknowledged the need for government to address challenges faced by pensioners at the local government level in the state, stressing that those involved and their families were indeed going through difficult times.
The House unanimously approved the request following a motion to that effect by Majority leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi and seconded by the Chief Whip, Hon. Perkins Umukoro.
The Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor commended the lawmakers for their support for early attention to the request, just as he assured of a robust synergy between the State Assembly and the Executive for greater socio-economic development in Delta State.