Mr Gbadegeshin Akande, The Oyo State Chairman of Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) during an exclusive interview with ';Community Today'; an online television programme on CEOAfrica has expressed confidence in the judicious use of the first tranche of the bailout fund released to State governments.

Mr Akande said that he is grateful that the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi was able to use the first tranche of the bailout judiciously and that the Oyo state pensioners are confident that even when pensioners are not included in the first tranche fund payment, the Honourable governor extended his hands of fellowship to them by offsetting some months arrears owed them.

‘’The Civil Pensioners are owed 4 months arrears while the State Local Government and Primary School Teachers are owed between 17- 56 months pension arrears by the Oyo state government,’’ he said.

 Oyo NUP Chairman said though the government have not contacted the labour leaders, but has expressed assurance that the 7.5bn released to Oyo state will as expected, be used to offset the arrears owed pensioners by the state.

Mr Akande faulted the report credited to the Honourable Commissioner of Finance of Oyo State by some newspapers that 60 per cent of the 7.5bn will be used to offset salaries and arrears owed. He made it clear that the directive from the FG is to use 75 percent of the total fund should be used to offset salaries and arrears owed.

According to the statistics released by the Oyo state pension board, the state owes pensioners about 115 billion naira Akande said.

He adviced the state government to take pensioners seriously and make necessary arrangements to pay workers at the point of retirement.