Oyo pensioners: Adekanmbi pledges to sustain Makinde’s welfare gains

PENSIONERS in Oyo State have declared that they do not want a return to what they described as the difficult years of unpaid pensions and gratuities, urging political leaders to sustain the improved welfare conditions they said they had enjoyed under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.

The pensioners made the declaration during an interactive session with the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), Bimbo Adekanmbi, at the Pension House, Agbarigo, Ibadan.

Adekanmbi, who assured the retirees that his administration would sustain and improve on the existing pension arrangements if elected governor, promised to prioritise the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities.

He said the welfare of pensioners was a responsibility he would not compromise, adding that Makinde’s administration had raised the standard of pension administration in the state.

“It is a matter of compulsion for me to ensure the well-being of our pensioners. Makinde has raised the bar, and I have no choice than to continue with what is on ground and attempt to further raise the bar,” he said.

The former commissioner said he had embarked on three rounds of visits across the state since emerging as his party’s governorship candidate, during which he interacted with different segments of the population to understand their expectations.

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“I have moved round the state on three occasions after my emergence as the candidate of our party, and I have been able to note what our people want. I have interacted with various segments of society and put down their requests, as well as my promises, which I call my charter with the people,” he said.

Adekanmbi also promised to maintain the arrangement under which pensioners receive their monthly pension alerts on or before the 25th of every month.

He explained that regular payment of salaries and pensions would not only improve the welfare of beneficiaries, but also stimulate economic activities across the state.