Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to clearing the backlog of gratuities owed retirees in the state, as he flagged off the payment of N3.897 billion to 1,038 verified retirees of the Local Government Service and Primary School Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff who retired in 2016.

The payment, which amounts to N3,897,315,605.75, is the fifth batch of the bulk payment of gratuities to local government retirees, primary school teachers and non-teaching staff.
The exercise was flagged off on Thursday at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Akure.

Aiyedatiwa said the payment was neither a favour, gift nor political largesse, but a moral and constitutional obligation to retirees who had dedicated their productive years to the service and development of Ondo State.

He said the funds would be transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts to promote transparency and eliminate gratification or reliance on personal connections in accessing their entitlements.

According to him, the payment was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of senior citizens who had served the state diligently.
The governor acknowledged that some retirees had retired into penury, while others died without enjoying the fruits of their labour, assuring their surviving families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.

He urged retirees who were not captured in the latest batch to remain calm, assuring them that his administration was determined to clear the outstanding gratuity backlog 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.

Aiyedatiwa said the commitment was part of his administration’s “OUR EASE” agenda, which seeks to improve the living conditions of retirees and other residents of the state.

He also disclosed that a special programme under the ORANGHIS Scheme had been designed to provide free healthcare services to senior citizens, urging them to take advantage of the initiative.

While appreciating the retirees for their patience, trust and perseverance, the governor advised them to use the money judiciously and avoid speculative or high-risk investments.
He also warned them to be wary of fraudsters who might target them, urging 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.

According to him, the innovation would enable pensioners, irrespective of their location, to process their retirement papers without visiting the department or having physical contact with officials.

‘Clearing backlog not easy’
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for prioritising human welfare alongside infrastructure development.

Takuro quoted the governor as saying, “Building infrastructure without building human beings is nothing,” while thanking him for prioritising the welfare of the people and urged residents to continue to pray for the governor.

The commissioner said the gratuity payment had progressed from 2010 through 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and now 2016, noting that clearing the backlog, which involved billions of naira, was not an easy task.

Takuro added that Governor Aiyedatiwa had directed that another payment exercise should be conducted before the end of the year, describing the directive as significant.

‘My capital project is workers’ welfare’

Also speaking, the Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, commended the governor for prioritising the welfare of public servants, particularly retirees.

Odusanya recalled that Governor Aiyedatiwa had, the previous week, flagged off the payment of almost N4 billion in gratuities to state retirees, describing the latest exercise as another memorable development.

“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.

He said the gesture demonstrated the administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of retirees and its belief in fair labour practices, which had culminated in the payment of full gratuities and other entitlements.

Odusanya described the flag-off as a demonstration of the governor’s inclusiveness, love and compassion, while appreciating the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners for their support.

NUP hails governor

Delivering the vote of thanks, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Comrade Johnson Osunyemi, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for prioritising the welfare of pensioners and ensuring the 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 being denied pensions, gratuities and other benefits.

He said Governor Aiyedatiwa had strengthened pensioners in Ondo State and demonstrated compassion towards them, adding that it took “the heart of a man of God” to undertake such a gesture.

He assured the governor of the continued support of pensioners in the state.