Ondo government has disbursed N3.2bn in gratuities to pensioners

On Friday, the Ondo State Government initiated the payment of N3.2 billion in overdue gratuities to state pensioners. At the event in Akure, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa explained that this payment would cover the full gratuity owed to retirees from 2015 under the State Pension Scheme.

Aiyedatiwa noted that N1 billion would be allocated to settle the gratuity for local government retirees from 2012 and 2013, while N2.2 billion would address the 2015 gratuity for state pensioners.

He emphasized that the government’s approach aims to address the significant arrears that have caused many retirees to lose hope. “Through this bulk payment strategy, we assure retirees that the backlog of gratuities will be cleared in due course,” he said. Despite other financial challenges, the governor affirmed the commitment to paying retirees and improving basic infrastructure in the state.

Aiyedatiwa assured that as finances improve, additional payments will be made to reduce the backlog of arrears for subsequent years and urged retirees to be patient.

Mr. Amidu Takuro, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, expressed gratitude to the governor for addressing the outstanding gratuities, acknowledging the hardships faced by retirees. Mr. Johnson Osunyemi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state, also praised the governor for the payments. Beneficiary Mr. Adedayo Ajayi thanked the governor for resolving the overdue gratuity issue.