Lagos Pays Over N8.7b To 2,309 Retirees In Six Months, As LSACA Distributes 1500 Sterilising Kits To Barbers, Cosmetologists

The Director-General of Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, Mr. Babalola Obilana, has disclosed that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration had disbursed more than N8.7 billion as Accrued Pension Rights to 2,309 retirees’ savings accounts between January and June, 2020.

The Director-General, who stated this , while giving an update on the payment, affirmed that Lagos State remains exceptional in the prompt payment of accrued pension rights to its retirees.

While reiterating the resolve of the State Government to the timely payment of all accrued pension rights, Obilana declared that 405 retirees’ Redemption Savings Account (RSA), was credited in the month of June, 2020 with the sum of N978,530,632.72.

The Director-General averred that, in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols and in order to ensure the safety of all beneficiaries, the retirement Bond Certificates presentation ceremony will not hold, adding that all Retirement Bond Certificates for June have been released to Pension Fund Administrators who will invite beneficiaries in small numbers for the exit meeting and grant access to their RSA for the computation of their lump sum and monthly pension.

“The prompt payment of pensions and the welfare of retirees remains the focus of the Lagos State Government, through LASPEC. This Government will continue to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to all and sundry in the State”, the DG assured.

Similarly, in line with the policy thrust of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), has distributed 1500 sterilising kits to the Associations of Barbers and Cosmetologists in the State to aid HIV prevention as well as enhance COVID-19 prevention control.

The Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, while addressing the beneficiaries at the kits distribution ceremony recently, stated that the event is one of the strategies the Agency is adopting in achieving the UNAIDS global eradication of new HIV infection by the year 2030.

This, according to her, aligns with the State Government phase by phase re-opening of the economy after the COVID-19 lockdown in the state, adding that the Associations are critical stakeholders in its HIV response since the disease has been of public health importance which requires a multi-sectoral approach in its management and control.

She noted that Lagosians that usually patronise barbers and cosmetologists are at risk of contracting HIV and other infections, thus the need for the non-pharmacological intervention for the prevention of COVID-19.

“That is, infection prevention and control which includes placing of handwash sink and sanitisers at the entrance of their shops; regular wearing of face mask, social distancing and a minimum number of clients in the waiting enclosed room among others”, she explained.

Dr. Adeleke emphasised that based on the policy of the present administration on inclusive governance, the programme will also serve as the State government contribution to the Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs), development in the State since the majority of them are youths.

Expressing gratitude to the government of Lagos State, Comrade Olabisi Francis and Mrs. Surat Abari-Ajibola, Presidents of the Barbers and Cosmetologists Associations in Lagos State respectively, opined that the gesture will improve their performance on the job as a morale booster and draw other unregistered members to the associations.