Niger Delta
Delta Commits N1bn Monthly To Pension Payment
The Delta State Government says it has committed N1.1 billion monthly to paying retired civil servants their pensions.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this on Friday in Asaba at a news briefing.
Anyiagwu, who was in the company of Dr Ben Nkechika, Director General, Delta State Contributory Health Commission, also disclosed that the State Government had commenced the enrollment of the more than 25,000 flood victims across the state into the State Health Insurance Scheme.
He said this would enable them to access free medical care, noting that the pension funds were channelled to the retirees under the old pension scheme and the contributory pension scheme.
He said grants were also given to the local government councils to enable them to settle their workers’ pensions.
He, however, noted that in spite of the State Government’s efforts and commitment to tackling the pension issues, certain group of LGA workers had been sponsored by the opposition to protest against non-payment of outstanding pensions.
According to him, the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led government has planned to give N10 billion to the LGAs to defray the backlog of the pensions, saying the responsibility of the local government workers lies directly with the councils and not the State Government,
On the enrolment of the flood victims, the commissioner said it was not to achieve political points but to ensure that the victims accessed free healthcare services.
Aniagwu said that Okowa had gone round the camps to provide relief materials, “but the Governor believes that man does not live by bread alone”.
“By the time they (flood victims) leave this camp, it is possible for them to take care of their healthcare needs. These are persons that are rich and government needs to meet them halfway.
“When they go back to their homes, there will be challenges of rebuilding their homes.
“Government will not be in a position to do a number of things for them. But Okowa has said health is wealth, there is need to be healthy for them to begin to engage in other things,” he said.
On his part, Nkechika said that the health insurance scheme, which started in January 2017, had about 1.2 million enrollees in 500 healthcare facilities across the state.
He said the premium was free for the flood victims, adding that the resources used to defray their premium was from the Federal Government, as well as the state government.
“Unlike other enrollees who are expected to pay N7,000 annually, government would be responsible for the payment of the premium for the flood victims.
“The beneficiaries will continue to enjoy free healthcare services, even after leaving the camp, for the next one year,” he said.
Nkechika said that the essence of health insurance was to provide accessible healthcare to all residents of the state, irrespective of socio-economic status or geographical locations.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
