Speeches

Payment Of 142% Harmonization Arrears To Lawma Pensioners

Jul 28, 2009 - Today marks another significant day especially in the lives of our Pensioners in LA WMA and to this administration because we are again making good our promises to always cater for our entire workforce, whether in service or retired. In February, this year, when this administration took a bold step to present pension arrears and gratuity cheques to local government and SUBEB Pensioners, I did promise to continue to fulfill our obligation to the retirees as they had served meritoriously in the State .

It is therefore my pleasure to join you as we present the cheques for the payment of 142% harmonization arrears to our LA WMA Pensioners, and I warmly welcome all our pensioners to this day.

As part of our efforts to guarantee a secured future for our worker, Lagos State has shown its commitment to the prompt payment of contributions to all the various Pension Fund Administrator, since the Pension Reforms Act was enacted in year 2007. Also, to further ensure that our pensioners do not go through unnecessary hardship and humiliation while collecting what rightly belongs to them, our Administration introduced the Bi-metric equipment which is highly efficient in capturing verification data and accessible.

To LAWMA retirees, I want to really appreciate your contributions while in service. You were dedicated to duty and contributed your own quota to ensure a cleaner and safer Lagos. Holding the touch aloft, we know how you made relentless efforts at picking up refuse at different centres to dumpsite, how you assisted in cleaning and draining the gutters, how you worked to ensure that canals were not blocked, and several other duties you performed to ensure a better and friendly environment in Lagos State.

Distinguished retirees, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to reiterate the fact that the import of today's event is again to prove that we do not make empty promises. Every pledge we make is binding on us. Our word is our bond. We are equally not afraid to face challenges and embrace seemingly difficult situations if we are convinced that it is in the best interest of our people. Afterall, Democracy is about people and Government is poised to create and deliver its dividends to the people.

On this note, I congratulate once again, the beneficiaries of today's presentation of cheques of the 142% harmonization pension arrears. I wish to encourage you to continue to have confidence in yourselves and the ability of the State Government to deliver on its promises.

I also want to express my appreciation to the management and staff of LAWMA who have ensured a thorough verification exercise and make today a reality. As we all continue in our collective efforts to ensure a cleaner, safer and friendly environment in Lagos State, I wish you all a Brighter Rewarding Future.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Eko o ni baje o.

BABATUNDE RAJI FASHOLA (SAN)
GOVERNOR bF LAGOS STATE