RSG Approves N3bn For Pension, Gratuities Arrears

The Rivers State Government has approved the sum of N3 billion for the payment of arrears of gratuities owed retirees from the state Public Service. 
The Head of Service, Mrs Esther Anucha who disclosed this while declaring open one-day South-South, South-East Zonal Conference of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Justice yesterday said plans have reached advanced stage to ensure that retirees got their cheques as they proceed on retirement.
Mrs Anucha also hinted that towards ensuring that pensioners with federal share of pensions got paid on time the state government had provided office accommodation and state secretariat complex, to facilitate the processing of documents.
According to her, following the signing into law of the contributory pension scheme in Rivers State last year by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, measures have been put in place to ensure the smooth take-off of the scheme, one of such measures, she said was the setting up of the state Pension Board to supervise, regulate and control pension administration in the state.
The Head of Service noted that with the appointment and inauguration of the Board members, delays in computation and payment of pensions and gratuities would be eliminated.
Mrs Anucha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment, Mr Gift Chima Ake said the introduction of the contributory pension scheme would no doubt douse the fears of prospective retirees.
Also speaking, the guest of honour and King of Abua Kingdom, HRM Kale Ogbuke harped on the harmonisation of pension and gratuities benefits in line with what obtains in the federal government service and enjoined all members to work assiduously as they are entitled to enjoy the fruit of their labour. He used the occasion to advise pensioners to engage in other businesses rather than depending on their retirement benefits in order to reduce the tedium of life at retirement.
Earlier, the state caretaker committee chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Hon. Alvan Azunda Ikegwuru thanked Governor Amaechi for establishing the state Pensions Board.