Agboje Chuks
Civil Rights Council of Nigeria Asaba Unit has advocated for prompt payment of gratuity and pension of Delta State retired civil servants in the State
The council who made the advocacy during an interactive session with the Bureau for Pension Board in Asaba, after receiving several complaints especially from Mrs. Cecilia Okoh, who had retired as Headmistress of Odili Primary school, Agbor, Delta State of Nigeria, disclosed the it was necessary for the bureau to expedite prompt payments of gratuity and pension of retirees in the State
Speaking during the interactive session, the Council Asaba Unit coordinator, Comrade Joy Edigbine emphasized prompt payments of gratuity, and pension, revealing it was a veritable means of helping mitigate the economic downturn of the retirees
Comrade Joy Edigbine disclosed that it was necessary to get clarity from the board why there were obvious delays in payments of gratuities of those who had meritoriously served the state in different capacities.
She noted that the retirees were mainly old people who had served the State at different fronts, many of whom needed money to take care of their health.
The Delta born activist who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Jeep Film Academy, maintained that it was the rights of the retirees to get their gratuities since there was no other means of getting live sustenances and pay their bills
Her words,” we are here to get clarity from the board on several complaints from our retired civil servants that have served the state and have not been paid their gratuities.”
Reacting to the claims of the Civil Rights Council of Nigeria, the Bureau claimed that the delay in payments were as result of late documentation of some retirees, as well as limited fund disbursements by the Delta State government.
His words,” Many of the retirees, would not document early which would affect early payment. And another one is, the limited funds released by the State government. These are our challenges.”
The Bureau further claimed that retirees were going to meet some Staffers to lobby the system, disclosing that it was a major challenge mitigating payment and procedures of payments
Adding further, Comrade Joy Edigbine eulogized the board for finding time to listen to the council and clarified issues, just as she urged the Bureau to educate their Staffers to decease from any act that can further affect the effectiveness of their operations.
