From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State
The Kogi State Government has spent four hundred million Naira on payment of gratuity to pensioners between September and December last year.
The Director General, Kogi State Pension Commission, Hajiya Mariam Ozioma Abedo disclosed this in an interview with Our Correspondent at the weekend.
The Director General noted that despite the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has continued to put smile on the faces of the senior citizens.
She said the governor has been releasing one hundred million naira on a monthly basis for payment of gratuity to retired civil servants, saying that payment of monthly pension upon retirement has also been made regular.
According to her, since assumption of office in September last year, she has initiated an open door policy that has bridged the gab between pensioners and the Commission.
Hajiya Mariam urged pensioners with complaint to visit the office and avoid patronizing faceless people claiming to be staff of the Commission.
She stated that recently, five persons who claimed to be consultants of the Commission were arrested last week for extorting some innocent pensioners.
The Director General said plans are on top gear to digitize pension system adding that the Governor will also lay a legacy of Contributory Pension scheme for the state.
