The Edo State Government has initiated the disbursement of overdue pension funds to former employees of local governments, addressing a period from 1984 to 2021.
According to Hon. Monday Osaigbovo, the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, this structured financial redress commenced on February 23 and is being executed incrementally.
“This step is a testament to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s dedication to the well-being of the state’s workforce and pensioners,” he affirmed.
Osaigbovo highlighted, “In line with the government promise in our earlier letter dated January 20, 2023 (LGSPB/469/T1/91), the Local Government Staff Pensions Board has started the payment in batches of the huge pension arrears owed to her retired local government workers in the state between 1984 and 2021.”
This action aligns with the state’s broader strategy to rejuvenate its civil and public service sectors, fostering a culture of efficient, technology-empowered service delivery that significantly enhances the lives and efficiency of public sector employees.
The commissioner disclosed that the state has allocated over N25 billion towards settling the pension backlog.
“The Edo state government has also implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme, as opposed to the Derived Benefits Scheme. This ensures that civil servants are well-catered for after their active years in service.
Moreover, the state has established a Group Life Insurance Policy for its government workers, with over N500 million already disbursed to the beneficiaries of deceased employees,” Osaigbovo concluded.
