We Will Start Contributory Pension Scheme In 2007 -Obaseki
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has that from January next year, the state government will commence the contributory pensions scheme for state workers to mitigate the challenges being faced by pensioners.
The governor made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday in Government house.
He assured the union leaders that by the end of his tenure, the state government would have resolved all the teething problems about payment of pensions and gratuities of workers in the state.
According to him, “the issue of pension is one that we will dealt with. So, in this year’s budget, what I have said is, effective January 1, all of us will now move into the contributory pension arrangement.
“And we have made a provision in the budget for that monthly contribution. I think the contribution monthly is 15 percent; 10 percent on behalf of government and five percent on behalf of you. And that money is being managed.”
Gov. Obaseki said government had already earmarked the sum of N6 billion for the pension scheme.
For the governor, “it is a plan we have and by the grace of God, by the end of my tenure, we would have addressed if not resolved the pension problems totally.”
The Governor also noted that human element was being given attention by his administration.
“If you listened to my budget (presentation), I did emphasize that we want to pay more attention to the human element, the social issues in our society because in a recession like this, it’s the human beings that are mostly affected.
“So, we cannot ignore their plight. We want to build infrastructure, we want to do many things, but people must live first before they can use infrastructure.
Gov. Obaseki appreciated the massive support from teachers during the last election, saying “I am truly grateful to you and your members for the unprecedented support that all of you gave to me during the electioneering.
“That I am Governor today, that was largely determined by you. So, if I succeed, it is your success. So, I am not surprised that you came to pledge your loyalty because you elected me to be your Governor.
“And I know that you will do everything to make sure that I succeed as Governor. For that I want to thank you.”
He assured the teachers that government would intervene in the flooding at the Teachers House, adding that “I understand firsthand the challenge of the flood at Teachers’ House.
“It is going to be a priority item for us. We have to speak with HITECH this week. Let us see whether they have done the design, and I can assure you it will be a priority for us.”
The governor pledged to sustain the policy which enables teachers to rise to grade level 17 in the state service and become permanent secretaries.
Earlier, the state NUT acting Chairman, Comrade Iyalomhe Akhagbemhe congratulated the Governor on his election and inauguration as Governor of Edo State.
He said “it is with great delight and fulfillment that we have come today to once again congratulate Your Excellency on your electoral victory at the September 2016 gubernatorial poll and your subsequent inauguration on the 12th of November, 2016 as the Executive Governor of Edo State.
“We wish to formally thank you for the unprecedented support and contributions which you gave to our immediate past Comrade Governor – Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration which enabled him to achieve monumental landmarks in the overall development of Edo State during his regime.
He called on Governor Obaseki to give the needed support and cooperation to the union as “it is the only registered and recognized union that caters for the interest, welfare and condition of primary and secondary school teachers.
According to him, “the Nigeria Union of Teachers is the only registered and recognized trade union organization in Nigeria that caters for the interest, welfare and conditions of service of all primary and secondary school teachers as enshrined in all the enabling labour laws in this country.
He assured the union leaders that by the end of his tenure, the state government would have resolved all the teething problems about payment of pensions and gratuities of workers in the state.
According to him, “the issue of pension is one that we will dealt with. So, in this year’s budget, what I have said is, effective January 1, all of us will now move into the contributory pension arrangement.
“And we have made a provision in the budget for that monthly contribution. I think the contribution monthly is 15 percent; 10 percent on behalf of government and five percent on behalf of you. And that money is being managed.”
Gov. Obaseki said government had already earmarked the sum of N6 billion for the pension scheme.
For the governor, “it is a plan we have and by the grace of God, by the end of my tenure, we would have addressed if not resolved the pension problems totally.”
The Governor also noted that human element was being given attention by his administration.
“If you listened to my budget (presentation), I did emphasize that we want to pay more attention to the human element, the social issues in our society because in a recession like this, it’s the human beings that are mostly affected.
“So, we cannot ignore their plight. We want to build infrastructure, we want to do many things, but people must live first before they can use infrastructure.
Gov. Obaseki appreciated the massive support from teachers during the last election, saying “I am truly grateful to you and your members for the unprecedented support that all of you gave to me during the electioneering.
“That I am Governor today, that was largely determined by you. So, if I succeed, it is your success. So, I am not surprised that you came to pledge your loyalty because you elected me to be your Governor.
“And I know that you will do everything to make sure that I succeed as Governor. For that I want to thank you.”
He assured the teachers that government would intervene in the flooding at the Teachers House, adding that “I understand firsthand the challenge of the flood at Teachers’ House.
“It is going to be a priority item for us. We have to speak with HITECH this week. Let us see whether they have done the design, and I can assure you it will be a priority for us.”
The governor pledged to sustain the policy which enables teachers to rise to grade level 17 in the state service and become permanent secretaries.
Earlier, the state NUT acting Chairman, Comrade Iyalomhe Akhagbemhe congratulated the Governor on his election and inauguration as Governor of Edo State.
He said “it is with great delight and fulfillment that we have come today to once again congratulate Your Excellency on your electoral victory at the September 2016 gubernatorial poll and your subsequent inauguration on the 12th of November, 2016 as the Executive Governor of Edo State.
“We wish to formally thank you for the unprecedented support and contributions which you gave to our immediate past Comrade Governor – Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration which enabled him to achieve monumental landmarks in the overall development of Edo State during his regime.
He called on Governor Obaseki to give the needed support and cooperation to the union as “it is the only registered and recognized union that caters for the interest, welfare and condition of primary and secondary school teachers.
According to him, “the Nigeria Union of Teachers is the only registered and recognized trade union organization in Nigeria that caters for the interest, welfare and conditions of service of all primary and secondary school teachers as enshrined in all the enabling labour laws in this country.
