THE newly inaugurated board members of the Local Government Staff Pension Board has been charged to bring in viable ideas that would further move the board forward while discharging their duties.
Chairman, Plateau State Local Government Commission, Barrister Robert Andrew Taple gave the charge while inaugurating the board members at the J.D Gomwalk State Secretariat Jos, last Wednesday.
Taple said that the economic down turn among others which is attributed to the accumulation of over Twenty Billion Naira unpaid gratuities and death benefits of deceased staff has now become necessary fo members to fashion out quick solutions to it.
Taple who also doubles as the chairman of the Local Government Staff Pension Board thanked Governor Simon Bako Lalong for finding them worthy to serve in the board to contribute their quota to the growth and well being of senior citizens from the Local Government Sector in the State.
He noted that, the mandate given to them by Governor Lalong also places a huge burden of responsibility on them as members juxtaposing from beneficiaries of the services being rendered by the Pension Board.
He added that, the enormity of their task was such that no one would envy, considering the long period of non attention to the enrolment of pensioners and payment of gratuities among others.
Taple maintained that, Lalong’s led administration magnanimously heeding the demand by ALGON for Local Government autonomy seems to have been abused leading to the unfortunate predicament being posed on the board and pensioners.
He said that, the Local Government Councils (LGCs) have arbitrarily reneged in making their monthly statutory remittances to the board as expected, thus denying pensioners of the payment of their pension as and when and for the bag log arrears.
He further explained that, the number of the pensioners being determined by the availability of funds recommended by respective LGCs, which also a situation responsible for the high number of those on the waiting list.
Taple told the board members that, for them to achieve this, all hands must be on deck to reverse this sad predicament unjustifiably leveled on citizens who have judiciously paid their dues in service with a call on the board members to think outside the box and come up with solutions to support and help the Governor arrive at decision that will help these, men and women who have paid their dues.
The Commission’s Chairman added that, he has no doubt that, the gains and successes recorded through the support of the Governor where the payment of five percent gratuities across board to pensioners in 2019 will be surpassed.
Taple also eulogized and appreciated the patience and understand of pensioners of the predicament posed the board and by extension Government, which should not be seen as a deliberate effort but only due to the lack of funds to meet numerous issues that require the attention of Government.
“This act of patriotism will surely pay off as we will strive to every length to plead your ease”.
He then congratulated the Board members stressing the need for team work, adding that, the responsibility given them was no doubt a service to humanity and also commended Governor Lalong’s commitment and resilience for standing firm to the plight of senior citizens adding that, some of the laws establishing the board need to be repeal.
Earlier in her remarks, the out gone acting Executive Secretary of the Board, Helen Afon while handing over to the new Chairman of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Barrister Taple congratulated him for his reappointment to the commission and the board, assuring him of the staff support and cooperation and appeal to him to look into some of the challenges that the board is currently face with.
SUNDAY STANDARD reports that, the eight Board members inaugurated include Barrister Robert A. Taple as Chairman, while other full and part time members are, Joseph Deshi Damulak, Iliya Goje, Makiom Yohanna Arodong, Alhaji Aliyu Manu, Elder Dawuda Kpam Dusu, Felix Wuyep and Comrade John Shirbe.
