OSUN Pensioners - Facts! By Dr Adewale Bolorunduro

Currently, the pension bill of Osun is about 600m Naira monthly, the highest monthly pension bill in southwestern states (except Lagos). The reasons: 1) implementation of 1998 new pension basis, which was implemented in 2005, many states are yet to implement their own. Please take note of the arrears of 1999 to 2005, which I will addressed later 2) exit of the 5000 staff in 2011 and 2012 as a result of the 2008 pension reform act of fgn that allowed workers to join new contributory pension scheme or exit, irrespective of age. so the few about 100 people under the pretence of IDP is far cry from the 5000 retirees of 2011/12 or the total retirees figures of 11000.

OSUN under Aregbesola has always been paying them fully  and timely until November 2014. In 1998, Abacha in his attempt to succeed himself perpetually mandated states and federal govts to increase pension basis by 142 percent . This unfunded mandate could not be implemented by many states because Abacha didnt back it up with funds. Osun like other states didn't implement it until 2005, leaving arrears of 1999 to 2005. No state in the southwest has paid the arrears including Lagos state.

Ogbeni aregbesola out of his magnanimous heart asked for the arrears to be calculated, it was initially 3.9b Naira but with biometric verification of retirees it was reduced to 2.6b Naira. Ogbeni paid 400m naira immediately and subsequently paid another 900m naira, totaling 1.3b naira. Remaining 50percent.

The man should be appreciated and honestly, many retirees appreciate him. The 100 Idp out of the 5000 retirees of 2011/12 class are just playing dirty politics. Why wouldn't they, when they left service too quickly. The protesters are yet to tell us the actual honest motive. We are waiting. The government of OSUN has been very transparent and Mr Governor has always pleaded and always appreciates the civil servants and the pensioners.

He always reminds them of the good relationships they have always have. Yes modulated wage payments based on revenue availabilty are used  now due the the shortfall in revenue accruing from federation accounts, however the pensioners at low end gets full pension.