Edo Government denies owing 42 months pension arrears

Edo State government has denied reports circulating that the state
owed forty two months pension arrears just as it described the reports
as false and misinterpretation of facts.
The government hereby explained that only a few pensioners were been
owed multiple months of arrears, most of whom were captured under the
Local Government Pension Board, an institution that is autonomous and
independent of the Edo State Pension Bureau.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin
City by the state government on Monday describing the report as false
and a misinterpretation of facts.
The release admitted that although pension arrears which led to recent
protests in Benin metropolis did not emanate from the present
administration, but it has spanned for over two decades while it
acknowledged the principle of continuity in governance, the state
government  has put measures in place to address the issues.
“Matters concerning local government pensioners are separately handled
by the Local Government Pension Board. Up to this moment, retirees in
the local government service fall within the jurisdiction of the Local
Government Pension Board. Be that as it may, the issues raised by the
protesting pensioners of the local government service are better
tackled by the Local Government Pension Board.
“Under the Edo State Contributory Pension Scheme Law, there is a
unitary Pension Bureau that will take charge of both the State Civil
Service and the Local Government Civil Service staff. When the Edo
State Pension Bureau becomes fully operational, after inspection and
certification by the National Pension Commission, it will take over
the functions of the Local Government Pension Board.
“This would be done after the Commission conducts due diligence on the
state of affairs of the board’s pension liabilities and current
pension and gratuity payment status. Some of the measures include
phased payment of arrears, harmonizing pension management system in
the state, and migration of state to the contributory scheme.”
Meanwhile, the government said it is determined pay in phases, all
outstanding pension arrears and gratuities; and to ensure that
retiring civil servants process their papers on time so that they
could effortlessly transit from their salary payroll into pension
payroll at the exact time of their exit from the civil service.
“This singular step, if carried through without default of the
retiring staff and relevant authorities saddled with the processing of
retirees documents, will eliminate the incidence of accumulation of
pension arrears. Also, to provide adequate attention to the needs of
pensioners by prompt payment of monthly pensions and phased payment of
all gratuities that have been established and confirmed.”
Government however called on pensioners and members of the public to
exercise patience as the phased payment of the arrears takes its due
course, assuring that measures have been put in place to ensure that
the present issues don’t arise after it has been addressed in the
state.