By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

Ondo State House of Assembly has stressed the need to always take the welfare of pensioners as priority.

The House Committee on Human Capital Development stated this during its familiarisation visit to the Ondo State Pension Commission, in Akure.

The Chairman of the Committee, Olatunji Oshati who led other Members emphasized that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the senior citizens receive their pensions and gratuities as at when due.

According to Oshati, this set of people deserves nothing but the best, having served the State meritoriously.

He, however, regretted the stress retirees go through before they could collect their gratuities and arrears owing to the meagre Federal statutory allocation from which the gratuities are paid.

The lawmaker emphasized on transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business and assured of the committee’s support for the commission.

Other lawmakers commended PENCOM for the service rendered, urging them to do more.

The Committee also a visited the Public Service Training Institute, Ilaramokin where the Chairman, Mr. Oshati urged governmental agencies to ensure that they keep running with the vision of the present administration by bringing fresh ideas to the table for effective execution of government programmes and policies

He charged Management of the institution to look inward by bringing more programmes in order to attract Civil Servants from other States to the lnstitute.

The Committee was later conducted round facilities at the lnstitute.

Earlier, the Director General, Ondo State Pension Commission, Babatunde Adefusi who briefed the Committee about their activities, explained that the commission is not only responsible of handling pension benefits of retired local government workers but partnering with stakeholders to give workers a blissful retirement

He commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for making the payment of pension a top priority.

Also, the DG, Ondo State Public Service Training Institutes, Dr. Olumide Asere said the institute which was set up about 40 years ago, has been training Civil Servants at all cadres for maximum service delivery and productivity.

He expressed belief that the visit will address some challenges the institute is faced with.