By Fresh Facts Magazine Staff Reporter
Asaba, Delta State — Retired civil servants in Delta State can finally heave a sigh of relief following Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s approval of ₦10 billion for the payment of long-standing pension arrears. The announcement, made after a meeting with the State Pension Board and leaders of the Association of Contributory Retirees on August 18, 2025, has been hailed as a lifeline for thousands of retirees who have endured years of financial hardship.
The State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Dr. Bolum Martin Nwachukwu, described the governor’s action as “monumental,” noting that labour leaders had expected a release of between ₦2 and ₦5 billion.
“The Governor’s magnanimity in releasing ₦10 billion is not just a financial gesture; it is a lifeline,” Nwachukwu said. “Many of our retirees have been living from hand to mouth. With this, we can finally restore the dignity they deserve.”
The funds will cover pension arrears dating back to 2011, easing a backlog that has left many retirees struggling to meet their basic needs. Pensioners’ leaders emphasized that beyond individual hardship, delayed pension payments had also fueled wider social problems across communities in the state.
While praising the governor’s intervention, Nwachukwu urged sustained efforts to prevent future delays. He also called for reforms to strengthen the pension system, stressing the importance of educating retirees on their rights and entitlements.
The Secretary of the State Bureau for Pensions, Comrade Lawson Efenudu, assured the public of transparency and accountability in the disbursement process.
“Our system is designed with checks and balances,” Efenudu said in a telephone call. “Every retiree will get what they are entitled to, and every naira of this ₦10 billion will be accounted for.”
Governor Oborevwori, on his part, reiterated his administration’s commitment to pensioners’ welfare, describing it as “non-negotiable.” He noted that since assuming office, his government has been disbursing ₦1.4 billion monthly for pension payments, totaling ₦36.4 billion so far.
“We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure our pensioners receive their entitlements in a timely manner,” the governor said, while acknowledging the challenges of migrating fully into the contributory pension scheme.
Also lending his voice, the Chairman of the Association of Contributory Retirees, Comrade Anthony Ozu Osanekwu, expressed optimism that the ₦10 billion release would mark the beginning of a more predictable pension regime.
“We look forward to a system where pension payments become steady and free from the anxiety we have faced in recent years,” he said.
The development signals a new chapter for retirees in Delta State, many of whom have waited years for justice. With the governor’s financial commitment and labour’s call for systemic reforms, stakeholders say the move could restore trust in the state’s pension system and reaffirm the value of service rendered by senior citizens.
