- vows to clear inherited entitlements backlogs
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Thursday flagged off the payment of N3.897 billion gratuity to 1,038 verified retirees of the Local Government Service and Primary School Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff who retired in 2016.
The payment, totalling N3,897,315,605.75, is the fifth batch of the bulk payment of gratuities to local government retirees and primary school teachers and was flagged off at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure
He said the payment was neither a favour, gift nor political largesse, but a moral and constitutional obligation owed the retirees for their years of service.
The governor said the funds would be transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ accounts as part of measures to ensure transparency and prevent gratification or the use of personal connections to access their entitlements.
He said the payment was intended to put smiles on the faces of senior citizens who dedicated their most productive years to the development of Ondo State.
Acknowledging that some senior citizens retired into penury while others died without enjoying the fruits of their labour, he assured that their surviving families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
He urged retirees not captured in the latest batch to remain calm, assuring them that his administration is determined to clear the gratuity backlogs for retirees 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 to all our retirees both in the State and Local Government,” he said, adding that the commitment is part of the administration’s “OUR EASE” agenda, aimed at improving living conditions for retirees and other residents.
He also disclosed that a special programme under the ORANGHIS Scheme had been designed to cater for the health needs of senior citizens at no cost, urging them to take advantage of it.
While appreciating the retirees for their patience, trust and perseverance, the governor urged them to use the funds prudently and avoid speculative and high-risk investments.
He also warned them against fraudsters targeting retirees, advising them to prioritise their health, peace of mind and household comfort.
The governor further disclosed that the Local Government Pension Transitional Department had introduced an online capturing system through its official website. He said the innovation would enable pensioners anywhere in the world to process their retirement papers without visiting the department or having physical contact with officials.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, commended the Governor for prioritising human welfare alongside infrastructure development.
“Building infrastructure without building human beings is nothing,” Takuro quoted the governor as saying, thanking him for choosing to prioritise the people and urging residents to continue to pray for him.
Takuro said the gratuity payment had progressed from 2010 through 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, noting that clearing the backlog involving billions of naira was not an easy task.
The commissioner added that the governor had directed that another payment exercise must be conducted before the end of the year, describing the directive as significant.
Also speaking, the Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, commended Aiyedatiwa for prioritising the welfare of public servants, particularly retirees.
Odusanya recalled that the governor had the previous week flagged off the payment of almost N4 billion in gratuities to state retirees, describing the latest exercise as memorable.
“Mr Governor, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. As the Head of bureaucracy, my own capital project is the welfare of public servants, whether serving or retired,” he said.
Odusanya said the gesture reflected the administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of retirees and its belief in fair labour practice, which had culminated in the payment of full gratuities and entitlements.
He described the flag-off as a demonstration of Aiyedatiwa’s inclusiveness, love and compassion, while appreciating the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners for their support.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, commended the governor for prioritising pensioners’ welfare and ensuring payment of their benefits.
Osunyemi, who described himself as one of the longest-serving NUP chairmen in Nigeria, said pensioners in some states were still denied pensions, gratuities and other benefits.
He said Governor Aiyedatiwa had strengthened pensioners in Ondo State and demonstrated compassion for pensioners, adding that it took “the heart of a man of God” to do so.
He assured the governor of pensioners’ continued support.
In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; members of the State Executive Council; Chairman, ALGON and Akure South Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Fasua; Director-General, OSRC Media Group, Mr Kenneth Stevenson-Odusola; former Chairman, SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; political appointees and Permanent Secretaries.
