Workers and pensioners in Ondo State will be paid over two months of their six months outstanding salaries and pension before Christmas, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has assured.
The promised pay according to him is to enable workers and pensioners with their families and dependents enjoy the Christmas and New Year Festivals celebrations.
Against this backdrop, he declared that his administration has up to date released over N7.2 billion for part payment of backlogs of unpaid gratuity which he inherited in 2017 from the immediate past administration.
He made the promise and disclosure during this year’s Pensioners’ Day Celebration in Akure, the state capital.
The Governor, who was represented by the State Head of Service, Pastor Adeniran Adeyemo, assured workers and pensioners that he would use the bailout disbursed by the Federal Government to pay outstanding salaries and pensions.
Responding to the request to make verification of Pensioners seamless through online model, the Governor explained that verification of workers and Pensioners became imperative and would be a continuous exercise as a result of the fraudulent practices of some workers who are collecting multiple salaries while others falsified their documents.
He further explained that the state is among the first to implement the 33% pension increase approved by the Federal Government, despite the fact that the Covid-19 Pandemic and other subsequent variants had affected the finances of the state which destroyed regular and full payment of salaries and pension, assuring that his administration is making concerted effort to ensure adequate welfare Programmes for workers and Pensioners.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Ondo State, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, appealed to the state government to defray the backlog of unpaid pension and gratuities from 2011 for local government pensioners and 2013 for the state pensioners.
He expressed the appreciation of the Union to the Akeredolu led admnistration for being the first in the South West to implement the 33% pension increase in 2020 as well as payment of arrears of the monthly pensions of 8 and 6/half months for the State and Local Governments’ pensioners respectively
The pensioners’ Chairman however sought payment of monthly pensions of eight and six and a half months for the state and local government pensioners respectively, the consequential pension increase arising from the 2019 minimum wage increase and the arrears of 15% pension harmonization to Local Government pensioners which has been paid to State Pensioners since 2012 but are yet to be paid to Local Government Pensioners.
Afenifere chieftain, Pa Seinde Arogbofa, who represented foremost Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, at the event, commended the governor for providing security in the state but appealed to him to do all within his power to make pensioners happy.
Former NLC Chairperson, Mrs Bosede Daramola expressed optimism that the state government would pay workers and Pensioners, however enjoined the state government to redesigned the pension administration system to allow Pensioners receive their pensions promptly.
The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in the state, Comrade Sunday Adeleye assured the pensioners the Congress was working on ensuring salaries and pensions are paid as and when due through interface with government.
The Hope
