By Festus Ahon

ASABA—DELTA State Government, yesterday, said that it has disbursed N550 million to offset the retirement benefits of 100 retires since the beginning of the year.

The state’s Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko, made the disclosure in Asaba, while presenting payment schedules to Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, for the settlement of 54 retirees.

He assured that the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will continue to sustain the monthly release of funds to the Retirement Savings Account, RSAs, irrespective of the economic situation.

File Photo: Aged Pensioners waiting for their entitlement

Bayoko said: “Pensioners’ pains, anguish, disappointments and forlorn hope have become a strong challenge that must be surmounted if any meaningful gain is to be made from the scheme in the long run.

“The state government, in response to this challenge, promised and has consistently released funds for the settlement of retirement benefits since January 2017. So far, about 100 retirees’ benefits amounting to N550 million had been settled since the beginning of the year.

“This unwavering commitment is coupled with the fact that counterpart contributions for workers are being religiously remitted on a monthly basis to their Retirement Savings Accounts, RSAs, making Delta State one of the most up-to-date in the payment of pension entitlements.”

The state Chairman, Bureau of Pension, Mrs. Christiana Siakpere, explained that funds are disbursed to beneficiaries of the scheme on a “first come, first serve basis,” urging retirees to be patient while all processes are being perfected to ensure the prompt payment of their benefits.