I’m only owing pensioners 4 years arrears, says Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, says his administration is owing “only four years of unpaid pensions” after settling nine years entitlements.

Speaking to state house correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, Oshiomhole dismissed the allegation that he was leaving behind a huge liability for his successor.

The Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had alleged that the current administration’s failure to pay pensioners’ arrears might cripple the incoming administration in the state.

“From 1998 when the army left to 1999 and to the end of 2008 when I took over, that was a period of 13 years,” he said.

“So, we found a pension bill of 13 years, arrears of gratuity and pension not paid by the PDP government including the 7,000 people they dismissed.

“When I assumed duties at the end of 2008, I had two options. There was this temptation to say that I would be paying those who retired during my tenure.

“But, as a former labour leader, I asked myself that if an employer was so callous to carry out massive retrenchment of workers as the PDP did by sacking 7,000 and permanent secretaries and did not pay them gratuity, is it the fault of those workers?

“So, I accepted the fact that government is a continuum.

“So, as we speak today, we have paid all those who pensioned in 1998 and 1999, all the ones they dismissed in 2000 and those who retired from 2001, 2002, 2003 up to 2011.

“So, I have paid pension arrears of 13 years even though I have been in government for only seven years plus.”

The governor said having cleared 10 years pension and gratuities arrears, his administration would settle part of the outstanding four years pensions before handing over power to a new government.