Okpebholo Clears First Tranche Of N4.6bn Entitlements For Sacked College Staff













Okpebholo Clears First Tranche Of N4.6bn Entitlements For Sacked College Staff 


…As Workers Hold Thank-You Rally In Benin

By Editor 


 Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has said the payment of backlog salaries and entitlements to staff of the College of Education, Ekiadolor, who were sacked by the previous administration, is to provide immediate relief to the affected workers.

He spoke when the disengaged staff staged a thank-you rally at Government House, Benin City, after taking same to some major streets in Benin City.

Governor Okpebholo recently approved the release of the first tranche of a N4.6 billion settlement for 714 former staff of the Colleges of Education in Ekiadolor and Igueben. 

On Monday, he directed the disbursement of N1.16 billion to 682 pensioners from Ekiadolor and 32 from Igueben, in line with the Pension Act.

The governor also approved N292 million as the second tranche of pension entitlements for disengaged staff of the Colleges of Agriculture in Iguoriakhi and Agenebode

Okpebholo described the intervention as part of his administration’s commitment to fairness, justice and compassion, and assured retirees and disengaged staff of all state-owned colleges that every legitimate entitlement will be fully settled.

Receiving the disengaged staff on behalf of the Governor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Musa Ikhilor, said that the governor promised that the second tranche of salaries and allowances for Ekiadolor staff would be paid within two weeks. 

He assured retirees and disengaged staff of all state-owned colleges that every legitimate entitlement will be fully settled.

He commended them for their peaceful appreciation, saying that "We will address others ... This is not the end of all.

"It is very sad that the people have to cry for what belongs to them."

He also announced that EdoSTARS teachers had been engaged and would receive their salaries before Teachers’ Day on October 4.

Responding, Mr. Richard Amayo, a senior lecturer and former Dean of Students at the College, said the governor had kept his word, noting that the staff had been left without pay for six years after the closure of the institution. 

He added that many had died, become homeless or were struggling with illness due to lack of funds.

Other staff, including Mr. Humble Eweka and Barrister Charity Oaikhena, described Governor Okpebholo as compassionate and praised his intervention, saying it had brought relief after years of suffering.

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