Diri Most Worker-Friendly Governor – PenCom

…how we cleared pension, gratuity backlog – Gov Diri

Nelson Utip

The National Pension Commission, PenCom has described Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, as the most worker-friendly governor in the country, saying his administration has demonstrated unusual  commitment to the welfare and retirement security of workers in the state.

The Commission declared this on Thursday during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, by a delegation led by the Finance Commissioner, Dr Charles Emukowhate, who represented the Director-General, Ms Omolola Oloworaran.

The Commission said that the Diri administration had taken various steps to strengthen pension administration in the state, including the amendment of the Pensions Law in December 2022 to align it with the National Pensions Reform Act.

PenCOM further stated that the establishment of state pensions institutions, appointment of a substantive head of the Pensions Board in February 2026 and the procurement of Employer Codes for 108 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were evidence of the administration’s commitment to pensions reform.

Dr. Emukowhate said Bayelsa was well positioned to become one of the leading states in implementation of the Contributory Pensions Scheme.

“Not many governors are dedicated to these reforms. These achievements are noteworthy, and we believe Bayelsa State is well positioned to take this important step and emerge as one of the leading states in pension reform implementation in Nigeria.

“This is easily the most worker-friendly and worker-centric governor in Nigeria.” He said.

Emukowhate also disclosed that the visit would enable the commission strengthen its collaboration with the state government on pension reform and support the transition to the Contributory Pensions Scheme.

He said pension reform was not merely a financial policy but a social protection mechanism that guaranteed workers dignity, financial security and peace of mind after years of service.

The Finance Commissioner of PenCOM called on the state to begin the immediate registration of employees with Pension Fund Administrators and the remittance of both employer and employee contributions.

The Commission also recommended the engagement of qualified actuaries to determine accrued pension rights and the establishment of appropriate funding arrangements, as well as a group life insurance policy to protect the families of workers who die in active service.

Emukowhate commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the welfare of pensioners and settlement of outstanding pension liabilities at the federal level.

In his response , Governor Diri said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a major priority of his administration, he recalled that his government inherited a huge backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities when it assumed office in 2020.

Diri also said that some senior citizens had been owed gratuities dating back to 2007, adding that his administration had since paid more than N20 billion in outstanding gratuities to state retirees.

He further said that the Local Government system also inherited significant pension and gratuity liabilities, but his administration intervened by supporting the councils financially and undertaking reforms that enabled them to clear their outstanding pension and gratuity obligations.

The Governor assured that his administration was determined to institutionalise a pension system that guarantee workers security and dignity after retirement.

“For us, it is something that we must continue to do and even create a better environment before we leave. We want to ensure that anybody who is retiring will have that security and safety that you do not need to go and influence anybody in the office. What is due to you will be given to you.” Governor Diri said.

He added that his administration had commenced the process of transitioning the state to the Contributory Pensions Scheme, including the determination of accrued liabilities and the review of actuarial reports.

He also said that the state had amended its pensions law, engaged consultants and was now at the stage of employee registration, modalities for settling existing pensioners and commencement of the scheme.

The Bayelsa helmsman assured PenCom of the state’s readiness to work with the commission, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent and successful implementation of the scheme while disclosing that the process was being handled openly and inclusively to ensure that all stakeholders were carried along.

Governor Diri observed that the successful implementation of the contributory scheme would represent a major achievement of the administration in securing the future of workers and pensioners in the state.