FG’s Bond Worth Over N750Bn For Payment Of Retirees Pensions, Gratuities – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

Chibuzor Emejor

The Federal Government through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF), has assured the Federal retirees of adequate plans to settle their outstanding pensions and gratuities, disclosing that the Pension Bond Bill worth over N750 billion is currently awaiting passage at the National Assembly.

Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, stated this on Wednesday at a strategic engagement with the leadership of Unions in all Federal Ministries held in Abuja.

Oyekunle, who reiterated various initiatives introduced by the Federal Government to improve the welfare of civil servants, revealed that the Federal Government has resuscitated the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund for the effective implementation of the Employee Compensation Scheme.

She stated that the Federal Executive Council has approved Group Life Assurance for all Federal Government Employees

Speaking further on the welfare of the Civil servants, the Permanent Secretary said:
“We have also repositioned the Wellness Centre in the OHCSF Complex for free medical services, free consultations and medications are given to patients that visited the Centre.

“We have also reviewed the Rewards and Recognition Policy to entrench a performance driven culture that promotes excellence, innovation, dedication, and high productivity across the Service. Deserving Officers are recognised and rewarded accordingly.

“More importantly, we ensure that an open-door policy to bridge the gap between government and the unions.

“Two ways of communication is maintained between government and the union for industrial harmony.”

Oyekunle, therefore, charged union leaders to educate their members on the impactful
welfare programmes of the Federal Government to ensure harmonious relationship between the government and civil servants.

Commenting on the essence of the meeting, Oyekunle said it was convened to foster open dialogue between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF),and leadership of unions in the Ministries.

Continuing further, she said the meeting was, “one of many avenues to discuss matters related to Staff Welfare, Conditions of Service, and the challenges faced by Union Executives across Ministries.”

She expressed the unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of Civil Servants, adding that ,”We recognise that meaningful progress is best achieved through collaborative dialogue, shared responsibility, and sustained engagement.”

Chairman, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation staff Union, Comrade Chika Ukachukwu, commended the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation for bringing Union leaders to dialogue on issues which border on the welfare of workers.

She, however, called on the government to do more on improving the welfare of civil servants to cushion the current economic hardships being faced by workers and other Nigerians in the country.

Executive Secretary, Federal Government Housing Loans Board, Salamatu Ahmed, on her part, said government through her office is working at providing affordable housing for public servants.

“We are partnering now with so many stakeholders in the housing industry, like Federal Mortgage Bank.

“We discovered that they have a lot of funds for mortgage financing. So we, we are trying to partner with them so that the civil servants can be able to assess the loan,” she said.

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