Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to prioritizing the welfare of senior citizens and retirees across the state.

Speaking during an interactive session with the executive leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Kwara State Branch, in Ilorin, the Governor assured the union that his administration would address its requests for an official operational vehicle and a permanent secretariat.

Addressing the leadership on their current office accommodation, the Governor explained that the union was previously issued a certificate of temporary occupancy, which meant its occupation remained subject to governmental discretion. He promised to collaborate with the Head of Service to secure a permanent location for the organization while addressing their current rental obligations and resolving the provision of a union bus.

Corroborating the administration's financial commitment, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, stated that the state government does not owe any outstanding monthly pensions to retirees. She added that steady financial provisions are being maintained for the payment of gratuities, clarifying that any unpaid pensions spanning 2015 to 2018 were solely due to affected retirees failing to present themselves for official verification exercises.

In his remarks, the State Chairman of the NUP, Comrade Mahmud Oladimeji Saidu, commended Governor AbdulRazaq for consistently prioritizing the well-being of retirees since assuming office in 2019. He highlighted that the present administration successfully liquidated over ?4 billion in fractional and incomplete pension arrears inherited from previous administrations.

Comrade Saidu further noted that pension disbursements, which previously experienced severe delays, are now regularly credited on or before the 25th of every month without outstanding balances.

The meeting was attended by top government officials, including the Acting Head of Service, Dr Mercy Olufunke Shittu; Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa'adu Salau; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Alhaji Abdulmumeen Onagun; and Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon Suleiman Abubakar Sai Kai.