The Ondo State Government on Friday has commenced the disbursement of N3.2 billion to settle outstanding gratuities owed to pensioners.
The payment is made up of N2.2 billion in gratuities to state civil service retirees and N1 billion in gratuities to local government retirees.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, speaking at the event, announced that the N3.2 billion would be allocated to cover the gratuities of different retiree groups.
He explained that N1 billion would be directed towards settling the gratuities of local government retirees from 2012 and 2013, while N2.2 billion would be allocated to state pensioners who retired in 2015.
“Our approach to gratuity payments is designed to address the significant arrears, which have caused many retirees to lose hope.
Through this bulk payment strategy, we assure all retirees that the backlog will be cleared sooner rather than later.
As our finances improve, further special interventions will be made to gradually address the backlog of arrears for subsequent years, God willing.
I therefore appeal to other retirees who have yet to receive their payments to be patient with the government, as they will be attended to as soon as possible,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Ondo State, Johnson Osunyemi, gave kudos to the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa for remembering the retirees. He noted that the payment is a significant relief for the retirees, as it has been long awaited.
Osunyemi lamented that due to long delays, many of the retirees have died while waiting for their entitlements.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, also expressed his appreciation to the governor over his genuine concern for the well-being of retirees in the state.
