The Ondo State Government will today commence the bulk payment of gratuity arrears owed 2014 Local Government and primary school retirees.
The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, disclosed this in a statement signed by Abooluwa Famakinwa, Head, Media and Publicity Unit of the ministry.
Recall that the State Government had during the week disbursed over N12 billion in gratuities to local government retirees between 2010 and 2013, whose entitlements had been pending for more than a decade.
According to Takuro, the move is part of the government’s efforts to improve the quality of life of senior citizens in the state.
He lamented that successive administrations either owed gratuities or paid them in piecemeal, with only those who were well-connected benefiting from such payments.
Takuro explained that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa felt the pains of the retirees and decided to clear the backlog of gratuities that previous administrations could not pay.
He said, “For those that retired between 2010 and 2013, we have paid almost ₦12 billion because these people rendered meritorious service to the people of Ondo State. They have been retired for many years without payment, though not under this administration, but government is a continuum.
“Mr governor is passionate about these people and has taken a decisive leadership step to address the situation. By Monday, we will pay the 2014 retirees of the Local Government.”
The commissioner also expressed concern that some retirees had attempted to negotiate bribes in exchange for their gratuity payments, an offer he said he rejected.
“When I resumed office, about 80 per cent of those who came to my office for help were pensioners. They would even try to negotiate, offering me a particular percentage just to be paid their gratuities.
“I felt sorry for them and decided that we must do something to address their plight. They don’t need to know me personally before receiving what is rightfully theirs,” he revealed.
Takuro added that though much still needs to be done, the purposeful leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa would leave a lasting mark in the state’s pension administration.