Uche Amunike
Lifeandtimes News Writer
The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has commenced the disbursement of gratuities worth N2.4 billion to pensioners who retired from public service between 2018 and 2019.
This disclosure was made through a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan.
Speaking, during the ceremony which was held at the Cocoa Conference Center, Governor‘s Office, Akure, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described it as a significant step towards the restoration of the dignity of retirees, while addressing long-standing arrears owed to them.
He further emphasised the moral implication of the exercise, stating that it was not merely administrative, but also, the fulfillment of a moral obligation to those who had served the state diligently.
He also stated that many pensioners had suffered years of hardship due to delayed payments, reiterating, that retirement should be a period of rest and dignity instead of uncertainty.
According to him, N2.4 billion has been approved so commence payments of gratuity arrears for retirees of 2018 and 2019, notwithstanding competing fiscal demands, adding that the government will continue to place what is right above convenience.
While disclosing the scale of the challenge inherited by his administration, Lucky Aiyedatiwa averred: ‘The administration, inherited a substantial backlog of pension and gratuity liabilities, which came with stories of prolonged waiting, anguish and in some cases, loss of lives, as some beneficiaries did not survive to receive their dues.’
He gave the state his assurances that he was making every effort to clear all outstanding arrears and maintained that the welfare of workers and retirees would not be politicized.
He also stated that the Nigerian Union of Pensioners in Ogun State could bear witness to the consistency in the release of intervention funds.
While reaffirming his broader governance policies, Aiyedatiwa explained that his administration will continue to ensure safety of lives and property, even as they invest in critical infrastructure for residents.
He also called on retirees to take advantage of the Ondo State Health Insurance Scheme, stating that it has been subsidized by the government to improve access to healthcare.
Speaking, during the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo States Pension Transitional Department, Peter Akingbade, described the development as a major step towards clearing the backlog of gratuities.
He announced that 733 retirees will benefit from the exercise, which comprises 733 retirees from 2018 and 342 from 2019, drawn from the mainstream civil service, teaching and non-teaching staff of secondary schools, as well as parastatals across the state.
He further noted that the process of gratuity payment is continuous, and therefore urged retirees that are yet to be verified to complete their documentation.
Speaking, on behalf of beneficiaries, Adeleye Adebanjo expressed his appreciation, even as the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, Johnson Osunyemi, also commended the intervention of the governor, who formally declared the disbursement open with the release of N2,466,336,304.00 to verified retirees, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of senior citizens and clearing and clearing their outstanding liabilities.
