The Ondo State Government has announced plans to begin bulk payment of gratuity arrears owed to local government retirees and primary school teachers who retired in 2014.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Akure, saying the initiative is part of efforts to improve the welfare of senior citizens in the state.
Takuro explained that successive administrations either failed to pay or released gratuities in bits, often favouring only those with influence.
He said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had taken steps to address the long-standing issue and alleviate the sufferings of affected retirees.
“For those that retired between 2010 - 2013, we have paid almost N12 billion because these people have provided their services meritoriously to the people of Ondo State. They have retired for many years and they haven’t been paid, though not under this administration but government is a continuum. Mr Governor is passionate about these people and he has taken good leadership step to address the situation. By Monday, we will pay the 2014 retirees of the local government,” he said.
The commissioner expressed concern that some retirees had attempted to negotiate or offer bribes to facilitate their payments.
He said such practices were regrettable and unnecessary.
“When I resumed to this office, 80 per cent of people that came to my office for help were pensioners; they would even be negotiating, telling me that they would give me particular percentage just for them to be paid their gratuities,” he said.
Takuro assured that the present administration would continue to uphold fairness and transparency in payment, stressing that no retiree would be denied their right.
He added that with Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, the government would leave a lasting mark in the state’s pension administration.
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