Ambode Directs Swift Payment Of N11bn Pension Arrears

Information on our desk has it that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has directed that pension arrears owed retirees of state and local governments as well as parastatals, running to the tune of N11bn, be paid immediately.

The pension arrears are said to have accumulated from 2010.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday by the state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Shade Jaji.



Jaji explained that the directive was part of efforts by the government to find ‘a holistic solution’ to the payment of pension entitlements under the Pay As You Go scheme, which was discontinued in April, 2007, as well as outstanding accrued pension rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

She said the state government had developed a comprehensive payment plan to resolve all outstanding pension issues in the immediate or short, medium and long terms.

The short and immediate term plan, according to her, is for pension payments to MDAs and parastatals, including local governments and SUBEB, which will be made monthly beginning from August, 2015.

The HoS added that the arrangement was the outcome of deliberations by the Public Service Pensions Office, the Lagos State Pensions Commission, the HoS and the understanding of the governor to reduce the outstanding pension payments.