Business
Ondo Govt Pays N3.8bn Gratuity to 1,038 LG, Primary School Retirees
By Joseph Sunday
The Ondo State Government has commenced payment of N3.897 billion gratuity to 1,038 retirees of the Local Government Service and Primary Schools who retired in 2016.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa flagged off the payment on Thursday at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure.
The amount, totaling N3,897,315,605.75, represents the fifth batch of bulk gratuity payments to local government retirees, covering both teaching and non-teaching staff of primary schools.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the payment was not a favour or political gesture but a constitutional and moral obligation to those who served the state.
He said the funds will be paid directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure transparency and eliminate middlemen.
According to the governor, the payment is meant to restore dignity to senior citizens who dedicated their productive years to the state, noting that many retirees had fallen into hardship while some died without receiving their entitlements.
He assured retirees yet to be captured that his administration is committed to clearing all outstanding gratuity arrears in both the State and Local Government services.
“We stand by our unwavering commitment to ensuring that ‘gratuity backlog’ becomes a thing of the past. We are determined like never before to fulfil this promise,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor said the initiative is in line with his administration’s OUR EASE agenda, which prioritizes the welfare of citizens. He also disclosed that a free healthcare programme for senior citizens has been introduced under the ORANGHIS Scheme.
He advised beneficiaries to be prudent in spending, avoid high-risk investments and be wary of fraudsters.
Aiyedatiwa further announced that the Local Government Pension Transitional Department has launched an online capturing system that allows pensioners to process their retirement documentation from anywhere in the world without physical contact with officials.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the state has progressively cleared gratuities from 2010 to 2016, describing the feat as a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to people-centred governance. He disclosed that the governor has directed that another round of payments be carried out before the end of the year.
Also speaking, the Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, recalled that the state government had last week flagged off payment of nearly N4 billion to state retirees, noting that the latest exercise underscores the administration’s respect for fair labour practice.
In a vote of thanks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, commended the governor for prioritizing pensioners’ welfare, saying the gesture was rare when compared to the situation in other states.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami, Chief of Staff Prince Segun Omojuwa, members of the State Executive Council, ALGON Chairman Hon. Gbenga Fasua, and other top government officials.
