Governor Muthofan promises to clear 30 billion naira pension arrears
Governor Caleb Mutofan of Plateau State has promised to wipe out pension arrears amounting to N30 billion to alleviate the suffering of retirees in the state.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first ever Plateau Government/NLC/TUC retreat in Jos on Monday, Mr Muthofan promised that the welfare of the workers would remain a top priority.
The governor said that successive administrations had not paid sufficient attention to the welfare of retirees, resulting in huge unpaid pensions.
He told the workers that the same zeal they used to clear civil servant salary arrears is their resolve and resolve to clear pension arrears.
“The last time gratuities were paid was in 1985 and efforts are underway to address long-standing issues such as gratuities, death benefits and pension arrears.
“The welfare of civil servants is of paramount importance. We are therefore clearing over four months of inherited salary arrears and keeping employees up to date with their salary payments.
“We also approved the payment of a 90 percent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and 75 percent hazard pay.
“Similarly, we have approved the payment of 75 per cent hazard pay to other health workers, namely the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nurses and Midwives of Nigeria.
“We recognize the importance of civil servants and prioritize their welfare by delivering on our commitments to clear unpaid salaries, rejuvenate our workforce through training, and ensure regular reductions in overhead costs to improve productivity. “I have done so,” he said.
The governor assured that his administration will continue to uphold the values and ethics of the civil service as a deliberate step towards fostering an environment in which all sectors can thrive.
He said his administration's guiding principles include fairness, justice and equity in the treatment of all workers.
Mutfan emphasized that the withdrawal reflects the administration's dedication to reshaping the narratives and ideologies that impede the effectiveness of civil servants.
The Governor said that the theme of the retreat, “Promoting effective social dialogue for industrial relations in the context of the times has now become a mantra” was appropriate and timely.
According to him, industrial harmony is crucial for development and to achieve this, civil servants must be the basis of continuous dialogue.
Plateau NLC Chairman Eugene Manzi said the retreat was an opportunity for government and labor leaders to brainstorm ways to improve governance in the state.
Manzi said the retreat would give labor leaders an opportunity to learn things in line with the International Labor Organization.
The Speaker commended the Plateau government for partnering with organized labor to initiate the virgin withdrawal.
Professor Pam Dung Sha, director of research at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Chur, advised the Plateau government to establish a team of labor advisors instead of the usual single advisor.
Mr. Sha, who was a guest speaker at the retreat, said that one advisor is simply not enough to properly advise the government on labor issues.
The research director advised the workers to focus on their work for the growth of the state.
Source: guardian.ng