The Kwara State Government has announced a delay in the implementation of the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage for pensioners, citing the discovery of significant payroll fraud as the primary reason. This revelation comes amidst growing concerns from pensioners who haven’t received their stipends for March and April 2025. The government, in a statement released by the Ministry of Finance, attributed the payment delays to a complex web of fraudulent activities within the pension payment system and the low enrollment rate of pensioners in the Kwara State Resident Registration Agency (KWSRRA) database. The government has pledged to address these issues to ensure a transparent and efficient pension disbursement process.
The statement revealed a concerted effort by a criminal cartel to manipulate the payroll system for personal gain. This discovery prompted the government to report the matter to law enforcement agencies for thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution of those involved. The government believes this cartel is actively working to undermine the KWSRRA registration process, which is designed to verify the authenticity of pensioners and prevent fraudulent claims. This highlights the government’s commitment to sanitizing the payroll system and ensuring that public funds are used appropriately. The fight against this fraudulent activity is crucial to safeguarding the welfare of legitimate pensioners and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The Kwara State Government also expressed concern over the low enrollment rate in the KWSRRA database. Despite a year-long advocacy campaign encouraging pensioners to register, only a small percentage have complied. The government emphasized the importance of KWSRRA registration as a crucial step towards ensuring accurate and secure pension payments. This registration process allows for proper identification and verification of beneficiaries, minimizing the risk of fraud and ensuring that funds reach the intended recipients. The government indicated that it might be forced to restrict payments to only those registered in the database, further emphasizing the urgency of enrollment.
Despite the challenges posed by payroll fraud and low KWSRRA enrollment, the Kwara State Government has affirmed its commitment to improving the welfare of its pensioners. In an agreement reached with labour unions, the government has approved a N10,000 increase in monthly pension payments across the board. This increment, effective from May 1, 2025, signifies the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship on pensioners and ensure they receive a decent standard of living. This decision underscores the government’s dedication to prioritizing the welfare of senior citizens and fulfilling its obligations to those who have served the state.
The implementation of the N10,000 pension increase comes on the heels of the government’s earlier approval of a N70,000 minimum wage for all categories of workers, effective October 2024. This demonstrates the government’s broader commitment to improving the overall welfare of its workforce and ensuring fair compensation for their services. The government’s efforts to increase both the minimum wage and pension payments reflect a dedication to addressing the economic challenges faced by its citizens and ensuring a better quality of life for all.
In conclusion, the Kwara State Government is grappling with a complex situation involving payroll fraud, low KWSRRA enrollment, and the implementation of new wage and pension structures. While the discovery of fraudulent activities has created temporary setbacks in pension payments, the government is taking decisive action to address the issue and bring the perpetrators to justice. Simultaneously, the government is working to increase KWSRRA enrollment to ensure a more transparent and efficient pension disbursement system. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to improving the welfare of its workers and pensioners, as evidenced by the approval of both the N70,000 minimum wage and the N10,000 pension increase. Moving forward, the government’s focus will be on ensuring the integrity of the payroll system, encouraging KWSRRA registration, and fulfilling its obligations to its workforce and retirees.
