Gov. Lalong is always committed to payment of pension and gratuity of Senior citizens- Barr Taple

Gov. Lalong is always committed to payment of pension and gratuity of Senior citizens- Barr. Taple

The Chairman Plateau State Local Government Service Commission who also double as Chairman Local Government Staff Pension Board Chief Barr. Robert Taple has commended the efforts of Governor Simon Bako Lalong in settling the pension and gratuity of Plateau State senior citizens who are under the pay roll of the Local Government in the State. 

Chief Barr. Taple made the commendation at the conference room of the Plateau State Local Government Staff Pension Board Joseph Gomwalk Secretariat recently while inaugurating the board members of the Local Government Staff pension board who were recently appointed by Governor Simon Bako Lalong.

The Chairman who appreciates Governor Lalong for giving him the mandate and  privilege to preside over the affairs and activities of the  Local Government Staff Pension Board along with carefully selected personalities as board members, said their being found worthy to contribute their quotas to the growth and wellbeing of the senior citizens from Local Government sector is through the instrumentality of the captain of the rescue team and Governor of Plateau State Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG, who having ratified their appointments into the board and expect them to hit the ground running in compliance with extant laws of its establishment. 

This mandate by the Chairman Northern States Governors Forum also place a huge burden of responsibility on them as members juxtaposing the quantum of expectations from beneficiaries of the services being rendered by the pension board he said.

He also confess that the enormity of their task is such that no one would envy considering the very long period of non attention to the enrollment of pensioners and payment of gratuities among others.

Furthermore, Taple also disclosed that the democratic disposition of the Lalong administration of magnanimously heading the demand by ALGON for Local Government autonomy seems to have been abused leading to the unfortunate predicament being posed on the board and Pensioners. 

He also revealed that with this development, Local Government Councils have arbitrarily reneged in making their monthly statutory remittances to the board as expected thus denying pensioners of payment of their pension as and when due and for the bag log of arrears. 

He also revealed that in the same vein, number of pensioners being enrolled on pension is now being determined by the availability of funds recommended by respective Local Government  Councils, also a situation responsible for the very high number of those on the waiting list. 

Mr Taple also disclosed that, the economic downturn among others also attributed to the accumulation of over twenty billion naira unpaid gratuities and death benefit of deceased staff has now become their responsibility as board members to fashion out quick solutions. 

He therefore said, it is now incumbent on them to change this unpalatable narrative through the development of their thought and ideas into viable options  will lead them out from the doldrum. He said to achieve this all hands must be on deck to reverse this sad predicament unjustifiably leveled on the citizens who have judiciously paid their dues in service. 

Therefore he call on the members to think outside the box and come up with solutions to support and help the Governor arrive at decisions that will help these statesmen and stateswomen who paid their dues.

The Chairman also reveals that, in the face of their daunting expectations enumerated, commendation must be made of the commitment and resilience of the rescue administration of Governor Lalong whose firm disposition to the plight of the senior citizens in this sector since assumption of office has been unwavering. 

He further reveals that he have no doubt the gains and successes recorded through the support of Mr Governor where the payment of five (5%) percent gratuities across board to pensioners in 2019 will be surpassed.

Barr. Taple also eulogize and appreciate the patience and understanding of pensioners of the predicament posed on the board and by extension Government which should not be seen as a deliberate effort but only due to the lack of funds to meet the numerous issues that require the attention of Government. This act of patriotism will surely pay off as they will strive to every length to plead their case.

In her earlier welcoming remarks, the Director of Administration Mrs Helen Ezekiel Afon who also act, as the Executive Secretary for the period which the former ES left for his new place of assignment who was recently appointed the Permanent Secretary Plateau State Ministry of Lands Survey and Town Planing by Governor Simon Bako Lalong, stated that the Local Government Staff Pension Board described the board as a special place that need to be handle with all seriousness.

She said, when she assumed office there were some information that pass to her regarding to how the senior citizens under the board will adequately be taking care off. 

Mrs Afon reveals that her predecessor put up his head together with Governor Lalong who is always workers friendly Governor to see how they will work out modalities in seeing how his administration will reduce the gratuity of the senior citizens. 

She commended the Chairman for his efforts in the past when he served as the chairman of the board when he was first appointed by Governor Lalong as the Chairman Local Government Service Commission who also automatic as Chairman Local Government Staff Pension Board. 

She pray for God guidance and protection toward the Chairman and urged him to used the wisdom of king Solomon that he used in the past to pilot the affairs of the board in other to be beneficial to the senior citizens. 

Furthermore, Mrs Afon call on all the staff of the board to join hand together with the newly constituted board members for them to do something great to the service of the senior citizens and also the state as a whole. 

Also in his remark, the Acting Executive Secretary Mr Danjuma Auta, state appreciated Governor S.B. Lalong for reappointing Barr. Robert Taple to pilot the affairs of both the LGSC and the LSPB.

Mr Auta comment on the pedigree of the Chairman and said Barr. Taple has all it take to take the Local Government Staff Pension Board to greater high.