Lagos State Govt Pays N364.9m To Families Of Deceased LG, SUBEB Staff

The Lagos State Government has paid the total sum of N364,982,210.39 to the first batch of dependants of deceased staff of the Local Government and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, made the presentation of the insurance benefits to 159 family members of late employees of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, LASUBEB and Local Government Service Commission at an event held in Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday.

Ahmed, represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Kikelomo Sanyaolu, stated that the payment of benefits was one of the several welfare packages created by the State Government for its workforce.

He said that the State Government recognises civil servants as the engine room and drivers of all its policies, stressing that the contribution of every employee is germane to achieving the Greater Lagos agenda.

While urging the families to restrain themselves from spending the claims on frivolity, the Commissioner said the benefits should be expended to honour the deceased members of staff by undertaking wise investments to cater for the dependants.

“The beneficiaries should keep the dreams and visions of their beloved deceased alive by ensuring that the premium is used judiciously to cater for the dependants of the deceased so that they could grow to become respectable citizens of our society”, the Commissioner stated.

The Managing Director of LASACO Assurance PLC, Mr. Rasaq Abiodun, also commended the consistent payment of insurance benefits by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, adding that the gesture has helped in actualising the aspirations of the families and dependents of some officials who died while in service of the State government.

He added that LASACO has been paying the insurance premium benefits to the families of deceased Local Government Councils and State Universal Basic Educational Board Staff since 2009 as a result of prompt payment of premium by the State government to LASACO.

The Chairman of SUBEB, Mr. Wahab Alawiye-King, said that the presentation was meant to honour the departed souls, who had worked tirelessly to make Lagos State a better place for the residents.

Alawiye-King, represented by Mrs. Adenike Odusanya, affirmed that the presentation of insurance benefits to relatives of the deceased is a demonstration of the State Government’s resolve to pay all entitlements and dues to its staff.

He, however, urged the beneficiaries of the payment to make judicious use of the funds for the benefit of their dependants.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Haggai Insurance, Mr. Segun Amure, commended Lagos for its prompt payment of premium claims to families of primary school teachers, adding that the consistent payment had ensured that the dependants left behind do not suffer.

“As far as I know with payment of premium to beneficiaries of the deceased, it is only the Lagos State Government in the whole Federation that has been consistent with this scheme”, he said.

Earlier, the Director for Local Government Administration, Mr. Razaak Amodu, had welcomed the beneficiaries to the presentation of the deceased insurance benefits, imploring the families to utilise the entitlement wisely for the benefit of the family.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dr. Akpezi Benjamin Etobro, praised the State Government for payment of the insurance benefits, promising that the amounts received would be utilised for the welfare and progress of the dependants.