The Ondo State Government began the payment of ₦3.2 billion in outstanding gratuities to pensioners on Friday.
At the event in Akure, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced that the ₦3.2 billion would cover gratuities owed to retirees under the State Pension Scheme from 2015.
Aiyedatiwa explained that ₦1 billion would go towards settling gratuities for local government retirees from 2012 and 2013, while ₦2.2 billion would address the 2015 gratuities for state pensioners.
“Our strategic approach to gratuity payments aims to clear the substantial arrears that have left many of our retirees disheartened.
“With this reliable and consistent bulk payment plan, retirees can trust that the backlog will be cleared sooner rather than later.
“Despite other financial obligations and limited resources, we view this as our responsibility,” the governor stated.
He assured that his administration would continue to focus on providing essential infrastructure for the people of the state.
“As our finances improve, we will implement further special interventions to gradually address arrears for subsequent years, by God’s grace.
“I urge other retirees who have not yet received their payments to be patient with the government, as their turn will come soon,” Aiyedatiwa added.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Amidu Takuro, expressed gratitude to the governor for settling the outstanding gratuities.
Takuro acknowledged the difficulties faced by retirees in the state and praised the governor’s concern for their welfare.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, Mr. Johnson Osunyemi, also commended the governor for addressing the gratuity arrears.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Adedayo Ajayi, expressed his thanks to the governor for settling the outstanding gratuities.
NAN.
