The Ondo State Government on Friday commenced the payment of ₦3.2 billion in outstanding gratuity to pensioners in the state.
Speaking at the event in Akure, State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa stated that the ₦3.2 billion disbursement would cover the total gratuity owed to retirees from 2015 under the State Pension Scheme.
Aiyedatiwa explained that of this amount, ₦1 billion would be allocated to cover the gratuity for local government retirees from 2012 and 2013, while ₦2.2 billion would address the 2015 gratuity for state pensioners.
“Our well-conceived approach to gratuity payment aims to tackle the significant arrears that have, more or less, led our esteemed retirees to lose hope.
“Through this assured and steady method of bulk payment, all retirees can be confident that, sooner rather than later, the backlog of gratuities will be fully settled.
“We consider this a duty, despite other pressing financial commitments of the government and the limited resources available,” the governor said.
He promised that his administration would continue to provide basic infrastructure for the people of the state.
“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 added.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Amidu Takuro, expressed appreciation to the governor for settling the outstanding gratuity.
Takuro, while acknowledging the hardships faced by retirees in the state, highlighted the governor’s concern for their well-being.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, Mr Johnson Osunyemi, commended the governor for addressing the outstanding gratuity.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Adedayo Ajayi, also thanked the governor for settling the outstanding gratuity.
NAN
