Retirees of the Rivers State Civil Service have commended Governor Nyesom Wike for approving monthly pension for a fresh batch of 2, 673 retirees.
The President, Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi made the commendation during the association’s 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Amadi said, “We must also thank God because presently in Rivers State, we are being taken care of by the State Government in terms of monthly pension payment. We hear or know what happens in other places within the country.
“Although we are being paid as at when due, yet there are areas concerning pension payment that we may intervene at an appropriate time,” he said.
According to him, the association comprises of seasoned administrators who have worked in various sectors, hence government of the day stand to benefit from its wealth of knowledge and experiences.
The Director General, Rivers State Pension Board, Ijeoma E.O Samuel, had in a statement made available to The Tide, yesterday, said the latest approval is in addition to the15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the State government.
The statement reads, “The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has graciously approved payment of monthly pension for another batch of 2,673 retirees from the Rivers State public service. This is in addition to the over 15,400 pensioners already in the monthly payroll of the Rivers State Government.”
Samuel emphasized that the approval could not have come at a better time, noting that this further confirms that the present administration of Governor Nyesom Wike is committed to the wellbeing of public servants in the state.
The statement further said the board’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department will soon commence biometric verification exercise for the next batch of public servants retiring between August and December, 2019.
The Director General of the State Pension Board thanked the Governor for fulfilling his promises to pensioners, describing the gesture as a Christmas and New Year gift.
“Finally the Director General congratulated the pensioners and wished them a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the State Government has restated its commitment to the welfare of retirees of the Civil Service, assuring that all outstanding issues of pensions and gratuities would be addressed as many of them were already receiving their monthly allowances.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo gave the assurance while speaking during the 2019 end of year seminar and luncheon of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State yesterday.
Represented by Ben Roberts in the office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Harry- Banigo called on those who were yet to receive their allowance to exercise patients, while charging them to undergo their biometrics in order to be absorbed accordingly.
“It is a good thing to be in the midst of retired Permanent Secretaries of which you all know that Her Excellency is one of you. She has come with a message for you to keep hope alive. To be focused and ensure that you take paramount care of your life, which is of essence. The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, is working tirelessly to see that all the backlog of retirees in the State are paid.
“A Committee was just set-up and the committee has submitted its report. What is going on now is that some of them are still doing their biometrics and many of them are already receiving their monthly pensions.
“Though the payment of some has not been effected, but many of them have been enrolled and they have started receiving their monthly pensions. What most of them are complaining about is the backlog of pension and gratuity. I assure you that very soon it will be addressed and all the issues would be resolved.”
Earlier, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries of Rivers State, Rev. Gladman Amadi, said one of the dreams of the body is to organize seminars for retired permanent secretaries to help them live a stress-free life in retirement.
Rev. Amadi further said the association was formed in 2016 during which it set up few issues to address, including enhancing the welfare of its members and relate with the Rivers State Government and other relevant agencies.
“The association is also aimed at getting to know one another intimately and to offer assistance or companionship where necessary,” he said.
He continued that the body has done well within the short period of its existence and that there was much to be achieved going forward, noting that the body had engaged in health walk and health screening aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of members as well as ensure their health status.

By: Dennis Naku, Charity Opara & Favour Ekeke