RSG To Review Pensions …Gives N150m Grant To Two LGAs

Rivers State Government has hinted of plans to review pensions to reflect the new wage increment in the state.

Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside gave the indication yesterday when he was summoned by Governor Chibuike Amaechi to answer questions posed by a retiree at the Town Hall meeting at Ogu Town in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state.

Peterside said, “this administration cherishes its senior citizens and the state is one of the few states that does not owe pensions.”

He explained that currently, the state expends about N800million to N900million monthly on pensions, saying that prior to the inception of the Amaechi-led administration, not less than N5billion was owed as pension liability, but that the government cleared the backlogs and started incorporating it into monthly payment of salaries.

The commissioner stated that government was ready to look at requests in making sure pensioners enjoy increments but that the delay stemmed from the Head of Service, “to index the increase” into pension payment.

This is not the first time Peterside has explained the situation, even at the Good Governance Forum a fortnight ago, he dispelled claims in some quarters that the state was shortchanging its retired personnel.

Meanwhile, as a fallout to the Town Hall meeting at Ogu, yesterday, Governor Amaechi has granted the sum of N100million to the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council following the huge efforts made by the Maureen Tamuno-led administration to complement the state independent power project, by connecting communities with over 11 kilometres of national grid electricity.

Governor Amaechi while commending Mrs Tamuno, said, “she has done extremely well and we will support her”.

He also gave N50million to Oyigbo Local Government Council for the request made to complete the second phase of the Oyigbo International Market.

Amaechi, who gave account of his stewardship in Ogu/Bolo, stated that the government had completed two roads, built new model primary schools and health centres.

He promised to commence work on the new model secondary school by June but tasked the people to provide 21 hectares of land for the project.

Speaking earlier, Chairperson of the council, Mrs Maureen Tamuno, lauded the administration for the transformation in the area.

She said, “your firmness and commitment in leadership has wiped off all the tears in the faces of our people.”

Lagos State Commissionser for Information and Strategy, Mr Aderemi Ibirogba (left), with Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe at a news conference on the newly introduced Saturday work day in the Lagos Civil Service in Lagos, yesterday.