By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos—Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration in Lagos State has commenced the process that will lead to the disbursement of N6.5 billion 2016 budgetary allocation for the payment of all entitlements as well as arrears of its pensioners.

To this end, the state government, yesterday, flagged off a week biometric verification exercise for its pensioners going on simultaneously in 16 centres across the state.

The state Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pension, Dr, Akintola Benson, speaking at the flag-off ceremony at Somolu Local Government Area, said the exercise is aimed at ascertaining those qualified for pension who are alive to receive the payment under the new scheme, tagged, “I’M Alive” as well as eliminate impersonation.

According to him, “IM Alive, is an initiative of the state Civil Service Pensions Office directed at enrolling their bio data and finger prints of pensioners under the old scheme of “Pay As You Go” in order to ascertain those entitled to receive payments under the scheme.”

Ambode swears in Perm Secs

In another development, the governor, yesterday, swore-in two newly appointed Permanent Secretaries into the state Civil Service with a charge that the appointees s hit the ground running and be champions of his administration’s continuity with improvement mantra.

The new Permanent Secretaries are Dr. Olayiwole Shakirudeen Onasanya and Mr. Olumide Abayomi Lawal.