We have paid N35bn to pensioners – Oyetola

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, on Wednesday, said his administration has paid about N35 billion to retired workers in the state since 2018.

Oyetola said this in Osogbo while presenting bond certificates to some retirees.

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The governor said he has consistently released N509 million on a monthly basis to cater for pensioners under the Old Pension Scheme and that those on the Contributory Pension Scheme were not left out.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuously uplifting the standard of living of all categories of workers.

He added that his government released the sum of one billion, six hundred and forty-four million Naira (N1,644,000,000) for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuity of retired civil servants in the state recently.

Oyetola described civil servants as the engine room of government, promising that his administration would continuously pay workers’ entitlements despite the harsh economic conditions.

According to him, “As a government, we will not relent in prioritising the welfare of our active and retired workers in the State. We will continue to pay workers’ entitlements despite the harsh economic conditions arising from national economic challenges.

“We have consistently released N509 million on a monthly basis to cater for pensioners under the old pension scheme, while not leaving out those on the Contributory Pension Scheme. We have released the sum of one billion, six hundred and forty-four million Naira (N1,644,000,000) for the payment of outstanding pension and gratuities of retired civil servants.

“In all, from 2018 to date, we have so far spent about N35 billion to cater for all the categories of our pensioners. I would like to therefore urge our senior citizens to continue to show understanding and support our government in our effort to reposition Osun and stimulate its economy for prosperity and abundance.”