The Ondo State Government has commenced the disbursement of N3.897 billion in gratuities to no fewer than 1,038 retirees of the Local Government Service and primary education sector who retired in 2016.
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who flagged off the payment on Thursday in Akure, described the exercise as the fulfilment of the government’s constitutional, statutory and moral responsibility to workers who had completed their years of service.
Aiyedatiwa said the payment was not a political gesture but an entitlement earned by the beneficiaries after years of contributing to the development of the state.
He disclosed that N3,897,315,605.75 would be transferred directly into the retirees’ bank accounts to prevent extortion and interference.
The governor sympathised with retirees who died while waiting for their benefits, assuring their families that their contributions would not be forgotten.
He also urged those not captured in the current batch to remain patient, stressing that his administration was determined to clear outstanding gratuity arrears.
According to him, the government had also introduced a healthcare package for senior citizens through the ORANGHIS Scheme, under which retirees would have access to free medical services.
The governor further disclosed that the Local Government Pension Transitional Department had launched an online platform to enable retirees process their retirement documentation remotely, saying the initiative would reduce stress, extortion and other unethical practices.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said Aiyedatiwa’s administration had prioritised the welfare of the people, noting that the government was investing in human development while simultaneously pursuing infrastructure projects.
The state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Elder Johnson Osunyemi, commended the governor for the payment, saying pensioners were fortunate to have an administration that had shown concern for their welfare. He described Ondo as a source of pride among pensioners nationwide and urged the retirees to appreciate the gesture.