Press Releases

Lagos To Expedite Action On Arrears Of Retired Pry School Teachers Gratuities

Apr 7, 2008 - Lagos State Government on Monday promised to expedite action on the settlement of arrears of pensions of retired primary school teachers in the state.

Making the promise while addressing protesting primary school teachers, Deputy Governor, Mrs Sarah Sosan said the state government is not unmindful of the plight of the teachers and is still finalizing arrangements with financial institutions that would raise the N5B needed to pay the arrears.

She added that because of the large sum involved, the arrangements on how the funds can be recouped from the local governments by the lending banks are being finalized before the fund is released and disbursed.

She explained that it was in recognition of the high esteem which the state Governor holds the retired teachers that he decided to set up a ministerial committee under her chairmanship to resolve the issue.

She sought the understanding of the protesting retired teachers so that the grey areas could be resolved, especially about how banks that would grant the N5B loan would succeed in getting paid back.

Also speaking, the Accountant General of the State, Mr Akin Ambode informed that the Joint Action Committee that usually meets to deliberate on release of funds has just met and that before the end of this week, the cheque for payment of February and March pensions would be ready for collection.

Also contributing, Head of Service Alhaji Yakub Balogun identified insincerity in policy implementation by past administrations as being responsible for the plight of the retired teachers.

She said all the deductions made by past administration in Lagos State before Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu could not be made used of when the affected persons retired from service.

He added that these was one of the reasons that informed the decision of the government to introduce a contributory pension scheme which would ensure that no one played games with pensions of retired workers after meritorious service to the nation.

Some members of the Lagos State primary school teachers and non-teaching staff pensioners had protested to Alausa seat of government over the non payment of their three months pension arrears and gratuities since 1999, claiming that no fewer than 980 of their members have died in the last nine years.

According to the leader of the retirees, Mr. Sanya Joseph, about 2,392 retirees are affected by the 180 per cent increase while over 3000 are affected by the 142 per cent increase for 74 months.

He disclosed that the government still owed them the arrears of 180 per cent pension increase for 66 months and pleaded with Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to assist the retirees.