By Babatunde Ayedoju
Ondo State Government has disbursed over N12 billion in gratuities to local government retirees whose entitlements had been pending for more than a decade.
The government commended all the 18 local government chairmen in the state for their commitment to grassroots development, transparency in governance and prudent management of funds.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, stated this in Akure on the outcome of the ministry’s inspection tour of the state’s 18 local government areas.
Takuro stated that the payment covered retirees between 2010 and 2013, adding that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa approved the release of the funds to alleviate the hardship faced by the former workers who had served the state meritoriously but were left unpaid by previous administrations.
He said, “on gratuities alone, we have spent almost N12 billion to pay local government retirees between 2010 and 2013. These people had retired for ten to fifteen years without receiving their entitlements.
“Though the backlog was not caused by this administration, government is a continuum, and Mr Governor directed us to save money specifically to clear it. By next week, we will also begin payment for the 2014 retirees.”
The commissioner explained that the achievement was made possible through consistent savings agreed at the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) meetings with council chairmen, stressing that without such arrangements, it would have been difficult to prioritise retirees’ payments given other competing demands.
He recalled that many desperate pensioners had besieged his office when he assumed duty, with some even offering to forfeit part of their entitlements if payments were expedited.
“I felt sorry for them and told them they didn’t need to know me personally before receiving their gratuities. That was why we made proper arrangements with the local government chairmen and started saving. We have done this successfully on several occasions, and today the results are visible,” he explained.
Takuro praised the local government chairmen for initiating development-oriented projects during their tenure.
“We are glad that the local governments are alert to their responsibilities. Some have built markets, provided solar power and potable water, repaired bridges and graded rural roads. They have also engaged youths in agriculture, creating employment opportunities and strengthening food security,” he said.
He added that these initiatives aligned with the vision of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Aiyedatiwa, who consider grassroots development as the foundation of national growth.
“If we make rural dwellers uncomfortable, there will be problems. They are the ones who provide food for us. Neglecting them will only worsen rural-to-urban migration and increase pressure on city centres. That is why Governor Aiyedatiwa has keyed into President Tinubu’s vision of grassroots empowerment,” he stated.
The commissioner further disclosed that the councils had collectively saved N15 billion in a joint account to fund capital projects, describing the move as evidence of long-term planning beyond recurrent expenses.
He added that the state government had partnered with the EFCC, ICPC and the state anti-graft agency to train local government chairmen and senior officials on transparency and accountability in public fund management.
“The trainings were designed to ensure council officials handle public funds with the highest standards of transparency and accountability. This guarantees that savings and allocations are used for the benefit of the people,” he added.
Takuro emphasised that the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa would continue to prioritise both retirees’ welfare and grassroots development. He stressed that without strong local governance, even the state and federal governments would face challenges.