Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, disclosed on Tuesday that his administration had begun reviewing the template for the payment of gratuities to retirees in order to ensure speedy payment of the backlog owed by the government.
According to Aiyedatiwa, during the flag-off of the second batch of N1 billion payments of outstanding gratuities to the local council retirees in Akure, the state capital, the gesture was in continuation of efforts towards promoting the welfare of retirees in the state.
The governor, who assured that payment of pensions and gratuities will henceforth be regular, noted that the development will no doubt ensure substantial relief for many of the retirees.
He said: “Today is another landmark in our avowed commitment to the welfare of our people, including workers in service and at retirement in the Sunshine State.
“In November 2023, the first batch of this innovative bulk payment of the outstanding gratuity of our former local government staff and primary school teachers was carried out. In January 2024, another flag-off of payment of one billion and two hundred million naira (N1.2b) was also performed for the year 2014 pensioners of the State Civil Service.”
Aiyedatiwa revealed that the current batch focused on council retirees from 2012 and aimed to settle remaining arrears from previous years.
He, however, urged those not captured to be hopeful and emphasised that the system now put in place will ensure adequate coverage.
On his part, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, who stated that retirees have been facing hardship for many years, disclosed that the governor had tasked him with saving funds specifically to pay pensioners.
The Head of Service, Bayo Philips, pointed out the challenging nature of addressing gratuity issues, noting that many other state governors neglect retirees because they find it difficult to meet the huge demand.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Johnson Osunyemi, noted that the payment is a relief for the retirees, as it had been long awaited, assuring the governor of the retirees’ support in the forthcoming election.
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