News
‘Despite N1.8trn Bailout, 17 States Still Owe Pensions, Salaries’
The BudgIT is worried that some states are yet to fully offset the outstanding amount owed pensioners and civil servants despite series of bailouts aimed at offsetting the liabilities, recently conducted a survey.
The survey, according to a statement signed by its Communications Lead, Ayomide Faleye, was aimed at ascertaining the frequency and magnitude of challenges civil servants and pensioners are encountering.
The survey focused on three different categories of workers in all 36 states namely: primary and secondary school teachers, state midwives and state secretariat workers.
Also, attention was paid to ascertain if retirees at the state level are receiving pensions as at when due.
From the survey carried out, BudgIT discovered that 12 states are yet to offset the amount owed secondary school teachers fully and many states are threatening workers to keep the information away from public domain.
Notable among states with outstanding liabilities to secondary teachers is Osun and Kogi states.
Osun State has been paying secondary school teachers above level 8 only a fraction of their salaries and entitlement for the last 30 months.
Cumulatively, Osun State is owing secondary school teachers above level 8 about 15 months’ salary.
Other states with outstanding liabilities to states include Abia, Benue, Bayelsa, Kwara, Imo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo and Zamfara.
Kogi State, for instance, is owing teachers about 13 months’ salaries, according to the response given by secondary school teachers during the survey.
Midwives, whose responsibility includes attending to issues around pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, women’s sexual and reproductive health and newborn care – are also bugged down by issues including failure of some state to pay salaries and emolument as at when due.
Midwives were questioned during the survey across the 36 states.
BudgIT discovered that 10 states are owing midwives’ salaries as at close of business on September 24, 2018.
Delta, Imo, Abia, Osun, Plateau, Bayelsa, Ekiti and 11 other states owe pensioners’ entitlement ranging from 1 month to 36 months.
Almost all pensioners expressed how unhappy they are, their dissatisfaction with the government and how hard it has been for them to survive despite years of hard work up into service BudgIT hereby ask states to offset outstanding liabilities to its workers and pensioners as funds in form of bailout estimated to be in the region of N1.8trillion have been issues to states to offset all outstanding liabilities owe workers.
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
