Hope has arisen for 714 former staff of the Colleges of Education at Ekiadolor and Igueben, sacked under controversial circumstances by the immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, as Governor Monday Okpebholo has set aside the sum of N4.6 billion for the settlement of their pension entitlements.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that towards this end, Governor Okpebholo has approved N1, 164, 507, 285. 17 as immediate payment of the first of the four tranches.
In the same vein, Governor Okpebholo approved the immediate release of ₦292 million as the second tranche of pension entitlements to disengaged staff of the Colleges of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and Agenebode.
In a statement on Monday, the chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Fred Itua, said the approved sum of N4.6bn covers 682 pensioners from the College of Education, Ekiadolor, and 32 from the College of Education, Igueben.
Itua, who noted that “This milestone reflects Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to fairness, justice, and the welfare of its workforce”, disclosed that the first tranche had been disbursed to both the disengaged staff and retirees of the two Colleges, “in strict adherence to the provisions of the Pension Act of Nigeria”.
The CPS said “In further demonstration of its commitment to restore dignity to those who served the state, Governor Okpebholo has also approved the immediate release of ₦292 million as the second tranche of pension entitlements to disengaged staff of the Colleges of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and Agenebode. The payment is scheduled to be effected on or before Wednesday this week.
“With this intervention, the state government has so far released ₦1.4 billion to the four Colleges of Education, bringing relief to hundreds of families and reaffirming its resolve to prioritise the welfare of citizens who have dedicated their years of service to the growth of Edo State”.
According to Itua, “This bold action by the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration is a continuation of the Government’s reform drive to reposition the education sector, while ensuring that those who were impacted by earlier sack are not left behind.
“It is also a reflection of the Governor’s vision of a just, fair, and prosperous Edo State, where equity and compassion are guiding principles of governance”.
The government reassured all stakeholders, especially retirees and disengaged staff of state-owned institutions, that this process would be carried through to the end until every legitimate entitlement is fully settled.