ONDO ASSURES DIGITAL VERIFICATION WILL BOOST PROMPT PAYMENT OF LG RETIREES PENSIONS
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ONDO ASSURES DIGITAL VERIFICATION WILL BOOST PROMPT PAYMENT OF LG RETIREES PENSIONS
The Ondo State Government says the ongoing verification and production of digital identification cards for all local government pensioners in the state will help in the bulk defrayment of their gratuity through periodic and steady release of funds.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Bola Taiwo stated this during the flag-off of the programme on Monday in Igbara Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area.
The exercise; verification and production of digital identification card for all pensioners in the 18 local governments, was organised by the Local Government Pension Transitional Department.
Taiwo explained that the verification and production of digital identification card for the local government pensioners would help the government in the bulk defrayment of their gratuity through periodic and steady release of funds.
He said that the exercise was not to victimise or witch-hunt any pensioner but its aim is to update the payroll system, correct irregularities and improve the overall accuracy of pension data.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the after the verification, the government would be able to ascertain the actual number of retirees in the local government system in the state.
Taiwo, while admitting that the state did not know the actual figure of the local government retirees, said that without accurate data, the government would not be able to plan well.
”The importance of this is that the governor wants to defray all the gratuity of the pensioners, but we find out that the figure, the number of people that are available are not accurate, the data are not accurate”.
“So, we want to get a correct data, so that we’ll be able to pay their salary as and when due, and pay their gratuity as and when due”.
“The governor started payment from 2010, 2011, 2012, now we are in 2013, but when we looked at the figure, we were shocked. In 2013 alone, we have about 3,500 retirees and we have paid about N1.7 billion”.
“If we don’t know the actual people, we cannot plan on how to pay their salary, how to pay their gratuity. That is what we are afraid of leading to this exercise,” he said.
Taiwo advised the pensioners not to be afraid of dropping their Bank Verification Number (BVN), saying that it would assist in the seamless payment of their benefits.
Speaking at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Pension Transitional Department, Dr Mercy Femi-Idris, explained that the verification and production of identification card for all pensioners would prevent harassment of the senior citizens.
Femi-Idris said the digital identification card was designed to help in the process of identification of pensioners, and prevention of identity theft and fraud.
“As you are already aware, Mr governor has restored hope to our esteemed pensioners through regular payment of pension allowances and bulk payment of gratuity”.
“The bulk defrayment of gratuity of pensioners, through periodic and steady release of funds by government is one of the ways of easing the pains associated with unpaid gratuity of our senior citizens”.
“This exercise is two events merged into one. Firstly, it is a verification or census for our pensioners; and secondly for the production of identification card for all pensioners on the payment platform of our department”.
“The seamless bulk payment of gratuity to pensioners and their next of kin, in case of deceased pensioners, as contemplated by the government has been impaired by lack of data”.
“However this department is making steady progress to overcome the challenges being encountered,” she stated.
A pensioner, Mr Adejumo Samuel-Ojo, appreciated the government for clearing the outstanding gratuities seamlessly.
Also, Mr Oluwatobi Omojola, thanked the department for the initiative, expressing hope that it would go a long way to help them in getting their benefits.
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