The Cross River State Local Government Pensions Board and the Local Government Service Commission have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to ensure a seamless transition of local government workers into retirement and improve the welfare of pensioners across the state.
The commitment was made during a courtesy visit by the management and board members of the Local Government Pensions Board, led by its Chairman, Mrs. Ekeng Ebri, to the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, in Calabar.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Ebri said the engagement was aimed at fostering greater synergy between the two institutions in the discharge of their shared responsibility of serving local government workers and retirees.
She noted that the partnership would help eliminate bottlenecks in the retirement process and ensure that workers transitioning from active service to retirement do so without unnecessary hardship.
“Our mandate is to serve the people of Cross River State, particularly local government staff. We are here to seek collaboration so that when our workers are transitioning to the Pensions Board, they do not suffer. Retirement should not be something people fear. We want to make the process seamless and reassuring,” she said.
Mrs. Ebri acknowledged that pension administration still faces challenges, including acts of sabotage within the system, but stressed that the Board remains committed to the People First agenda of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration. She added that the Board would subsequently engage the Commission’s technical officers with the necessary documentation to deepen the collaboration.
Responding, the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, commended the Pensions Board for initiating the partnership, describing inter-agency collaboration as essential to effective public service delivery.
He said the Otu administration has consistently demonstrated compassion and commitment to the welfare of Cross Riverians, particularly workers and pensioners, through policies designed to improve their quality of life.
“The essence of government is service to the people. The administration of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is founded on a People First philosophy because the Governor is deeply committed to the welfare and well-being of the citizens,” Ekpo said.
While acknowledging the existence of individuals who attempt to undermine established procedures within the public service, he maintained that the Commission would continue to uphold due process and institutional reforms.
“Our society is governed by laws and established procedures, not by impunity. As a Commission, we are determined to strengthen the system and ensure that the reforms of this administration endure,” he stated.
Barr. Ekpo assured the Pensions Board of the Commission’s full support, announcing that a liaison officer would be designated to interface directly with the Board to promptly address issues relating to retirement and pension administration.
He added that both institutions have complementary responsibilities and must continue to work together to guarantee efficient service delivery for serving officers and retirees alike.
The meeting ended with both organisations reaffirming their resolve to deepen institutional collaboration to reduce the anxiety often associated with retirement and ensure that local government workers in Cross River State retire with dignity and receive the support due to them under the law.
By Daniel Bebia
