We have been releasing N700 million monthly for pensioners in last 6 months – Benue governor

Pensioners in Benue State have in the last six months been paid N700 million monthly, Benue State governor, Dr Samuel Ortom disclosed this over the weekend.

Ortom stated this at the backdrop of protests by some faction of retirees who insisted that they haven’t been paid. He explained that the sum of N400 million has been paid to State pensioners, while the sum of N300 million was for LG retirees which has been consistent in the last.six months.

Ortom further revealed that though deductions for pensioners have affected the overhead cost as well as running Ministries, Departments and agencies, he noted that releases would assist the senior citizens in the State.

He said, his administration inherited N7 billion arrears of pensioners from the previous government.

He said “pension issues and gratuity matters are national problem. Even at the federal level they still have their challenge. Others state also have their challenges. But I have succeeded in domesticating the PENCOM law. Already we have invested more than N1.5 billion in the PENCOM account.

“It is there and once we are able to reach the N3billion threshold, we will be able to borrow money and clear the arrears; and subsequently all those who are retiring will not face the challenge of waiting for government to pay, they will go to PENCOM and as soon as you are retiring you will have your gratuity and pension.

According to him, his administration has done well in attempt to liquidate arrears, adding that effort was being put in place to do more.

“As I talk to you, every month N700 million is provided for pensioners in the last six months based on the agreement that we reached with the pensioners’ union. N400million goes to the state level though it is not enough to cover the entire pensioners but at least it is said that half a loaf is better than non. And at the Local Government level we release N300million making N700million.

The governor expressed disappointment that despite a deal with pensioners at the State and Local Government level that made them arrived at the sum of N700 million monthly, some of the pensioners would still embark on protest.

He stressed that the agreement was denying other sectors in the State of government’s attention, yet he believed that pensioners who are fathers and mothers deserved to be treated well.

Ortom said he understood the health challenges of some senior citizens who have to live on drugs, a situation he said they have to be paid their pension, contrary to what was obtainable in the past.

He insisted that he would not join issues with the elder statesmen on pension and gratuity matters, while he expressed commitment to payment of their entitlements.