Blind retirees, others express mixed feelings after Okpebholo’s pension largesse
For many years, retired teachers and local government workers in Edo State have remained pawns on the chessboards of gratuity racketeers. They have had to bribe their ways for their
- Say we wish it came 14 years earlier
For many years, retired teachers and local government workers in Edo State have remained pawns on the chessboards of gratuity racketeers. They have had to bribe their ways for their files to be passed. Many others have had to pay for their missing files to be found. Payment of their gratuity has been based who they know in authority, thus many of them have been left waiting and praying for successive administrations to wipe their tears by paying them their entitlement after 35 years in service. In this report, OSAGIE OTABOR explains the pains Edo State Local Government retirees have been passing through since 1984.
R. Omoiyekemwen Vincent is now a blind man. He lost his sight some years after his retirement as Head Teacher. Omoiyekemwen studied Agriculture and had hoped to set up an oil palm plantation in 2012 with the money he would be paid as gratuity when he retired. But his dream could not come to fruition because his gratuity was not paid. He waited hopelessly for many years until last week when Governor Monday Okpebholo began to issue cheques to 2012 retirees.
Omoiyekemwen said he felt indifferent when he heard that Governor Monday Okpebholo had released N1bn for payment of gratuity to 2012 retirees because the money can no longer be used for his dream project.
"This payment is baptism after death,” he said. If I narrate my ordeal, you may not leave here.
“I appreciate the Governor for releasing us from all these problems. If I want to say something, it will seem like we are ungrateful.
“Many of our colleagues have died. I have been in this condition for many years.
“If this payment had come as at the time I needed the money to treat myself, it would not have got to this stage of total blackout.
“Those who are still in service should not suffer the way we suffered.
“As soon as they retire, something tangible should be paid to them so that they can do something with the money.
“I studied Agriculture. I wanted to use my gratuity to establish a palm oil farm. But the money didn't come.
Advertisement
300x250
“I am now going to use the money to feed myself until the bell rings."
Seventy-four-year-old Andrew Odiawa, who has also become blind, said: "I wanted to build a house upon retirement, but the gratuity was never paid. Today, the money cannot build anything.
"We hoped upon hope from one administration to another. Today I have an eye problem. This gratuity cannot do anything for me.
“I intended to use it to build a house, and the money would have been enough. Now, this money cannot even buy a land.
“When I retired in 2012, a bag of cement was N800. But today, it is N12,500. The money cannot do anything for me today. I don't know what to do with it.
“I now rely on God. My message to young workers is to be prepared. They should not rely on gratuity.
“I have been coming to Benin since March 6, and I have not been able to collect the money.
“They said they have been looking for my file. The cheque is there, but they said they cannot give me the money unless they find the file."
It was a pitiable sight at the Local Government Pension Bureau office in Benin City as the 2012 pensioners gathered to collect their cheques. Some of them were brought in from their hospital beds. Many could not climb the staircase.
Although they were excited that their gratuity was finally paid, those who spoke said they wished they were paid 14 years ago.
What shocked many was when they were informed that their files were missing but their cheques were ready.
Advertisement
300x250
It was gathered that the LG Pension Bureau was not automated. The retirees had to come to Benin City from all parts of the state to collect their cheques. Workers at the Bureau had to scan through heaps of files to look for missing ones.
Checks showed that non-payment of gratuity to local government workers and teachers in Edo State dates back to 1979. For many years, LG pensioners staged various street protests. They would adorn black attires and sit on the streets, especially during May Day celebrations, only to be told that the state government was not responsible for payment of their gratuities.
In 2020, the Edo State Government began saving N100 million monthly from allocations to the local government from the federation account for payment of gratuities. In 2023, screening exercise was conducted for LG workers who retired between 1979 and 2008.
A letter inviting them and signed by then Permanent Secretary, Local Government Staff Pension Board, Mrs. Osas-Ehigie Sandra, reads: "This is to inform pensioners on the payroll of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, who retired between 1979 and 2008 that His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has graciously released funds for their gratuity and that screening exercise will be carried out in the Local Government Staff Pensions Board Premises, King Square, Benin City.
“All confirmed pensioners are to physically present themselves at the venue with their pension identity card, biometrics slip and pay advice."
Further investigation showed that former Governor Godwin Obaseki cleared the LG gratuity payment up to 2010 even though some retirees from 2009 cried out that they were not paid.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had released N2 billion for payment of gratuities for those that retired in 2011 and 2012 with a promise to release another N1 billion after payments to 2012 retirees must have been concluded.
Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Kabiru Adjoto, who presented cheques to the 2012 retirees, ordered the staff to ensure the senior citizens were properly catered for.
Adjoto told the pensioners that Governor Okpebholo was serious about payment of gratuities and has demonstrated strong political will to confront long-standing challenges affecting pensioners and retirees in the state.
Advertisement
300x250
According to Adjoto, "Okpebholo said it was unfortunate that gratuity was allowed to accumulate. He said another N1 billion will be released once we commence this payment. That means it will be a continuous exercise.
“We discovered that there were some persons who retired from 2009 to 2011 that have not been paid. We brought the backlog and cleared all of them.
“Before Friday this week, Governor Okpebholo said he will release another N1 billion.
"The Governor wants Edo to be a model for Nigeria. Okpebholo is serious about gratuity. He is not happy about the accumulation. You will get your money.
"We have a government that is willing and determined to pay. It is going to be a continuous exercise. I appeal to you to be patient."
He also warned the pensioners against paying to collect their cheques.
"It is criminal to pay to collect your cheque. Don't give anybody money to influence your payment.
“There is no 10 per cent to pay. Anybody that demands one per cent from you, report him to the pension bureau."
Spokesman for Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Claudiette Ehanire, said all cases of missing files would be resolved.
