By; Ikponmwosa Osamede
The news that the Edo State Governor, His Excellency Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the payment of a 29-year backlog of gratuity for pensioners in the Edo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, has met with wild jubilation and is another masterstroke by this current administration. According to a statement, the payment of the gratuities is for pensioners on the payroll of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, who retired between 1979 and 2008.
As expected in the transparent administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki and to eliminate fraud, a screening exercise will be held and will be carried out in an easy to access location in the city center in the Local Government Staff Pensions Board Premises, King Square, Benin City. Also, the news has it that all confirmed pensioners are to physically present themselves at the venue with their pension identity card, biometrics slip and pay advice between Monday 16th and Friday 20th October, 2023, from 8.00am -4.00pm daily.
Governor Obaseki is worthy of commendation as he has ensured that our seniors and elderly citizens in Edo state always have a reason to smile. This is worthy of praise because many administrations have come and gone but none have ever thought of this lofty initiative. These elderly citizens who retired long time ago having worked meritoriously and served the good people of Edo state for 35 years or until retirement were completely ignored by previous administrations until the coming of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
This act of goodwill of Mr. Governor is already drawing positive reactions from the good people of Edo state as this has come from a place of kindness. This event undoubtedly will mark a turnaround in the lives of these pensioners in Edo state. It is even more so in this post-subsidy removal economy.
Individuals like Victor Ofure Osehobo, the APC Assistant Publicity Secretary who seem to see no good in anything meant to ease the pains of the populace has rehashed bile directed at the performing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration for putting to an end the more than three decade anguish faced by the local government pensioners. I’ll respond to his watery and grammatically poor piece with the following.
Firstly, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s approval of the funds is ensuring that governance is a continuum thereby deepening democracy as he did not insist that his administration shouldn’t take up the responsibility of paying gratuities owed for over 29 years which is prior to his administration’s inception.
Secondly, the governor has decided to clear the backlog without creating a fuss or embarking on name-calling. It is sad that previous administrations especially the immediate past administration did not think to clear this backlog at a time when they received the highest federal allocation during the oil boom.
Thirdly, this administration insistence on transparency and production of necessary identity/payment documents at the point of screening is a testament to its probity and anyone averse to this without a good enough reason may undoubtedly have skeletons in their cupboards.
Fourthly, Governor Governor Obaseki has done so much good deeds for the workers of Edo state. Today, they have a befitting secretariat complex which is fitted with state of the art furniture and amenities with which they can perform optimally in line with 21st century expectations.
Fifthly, Edo workers have been enjoying regular promotions in the Edo state civil service. Also, this administration has digitalized the work process in the civil service making it seamless for workers.
To add to this, they are assured of regular payment of their salaries every month with inclusion of an extra 13th month salary. They are also paid the highest minimum wage in Nigeria which is yet to be beaten by even the Federal government and other States.
It is worthy of note that workers in the state civil service employ also get their pensions and gratuities as and when due and this is no doubt a moral booster for all of the workers in Edo state. They are assured that having put in the best years of their life in the civil service, their post-retirement will not be riddled with unpleasant uncertainties and harsh realities. This administration has undoubtedly solidified its place in the annals of history as the most worker-friendly administration in the history of Edo state and this cannot be overemphasized. Governor Godwin Obaseki can be likened to Edo workers knight in shining armour.
In this light, it is unfortunate that individuals like Osehobo and his party, the APC which held sway for 8 years in the state could not think of clearing this backlog. Yet he decides to brew and spew unfounded conjectures to disparage the lofty initiative of Governor Godwin Obaseki. It has dawned on Edo people that Osehobo is anti-people and an enemy of anything good. If not so, why would anyone disparage such a kindhearted initiative of this administration led by Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Osehobo and his party has lost all credibility to speak to matters concerning the general public as his party is like an albatross to the average Nigerian. They cannot come up with anything beneficial to the citizens and still they busy themselves in speaking ill of initiatives that are meant to alleviate sufferings of the people.
APC and their spokespersons ought to bury their heads in shame. Today, APC is responsible for all of the myriads of economic woes in Nigeria and they are totally unperturbed. They are the reason why Nigeria has become a public spectacle before the international community. This is at a time when the federal government ought to be building investors confidence. No, they have decided to cause the entire nation huge ridicule and embarrassment with the Chicago certificate saga of their principal. I think Osehobo’s hatred for the local government pensioners screening exercise and verification is coming from their party’s penchant for trickery and transforming females to males. Well, Edo is not Chicago.
_Ikponmwosa Osamede (Ik Osamede) writes from Benin City_
