Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Friday, flagged off 2.5 billion naira for the Fourth Batch of Bulk Defrayment of Arrears of Gratuities of Local Government Staff and Primary School Teachers in the State
According to the Governor in his address, the payment of gratuity to pensioners over time, has been an issue of serious concern to government and stakeholders at all levels.
He highlighted that, in the last three phases of the initiative, a total of ₦3 billion had been expended to clear gratuity backlogs up to the year 2012. With the latest phase, an additional ₦2.5 billion has been set aside to clear the gratuities of retirees from 2013.
"While the government is earnestly looking towards a period when gratuity of pensioners would be seamlessly paid within the contemplation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), the backlog of unpaid gratuity from the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) is still of a grave concern and requires prompt intervention.
"Hence, the determination of our administration to continue the bulk payment of gratuity to our senior citizens whose gratuities are yet to be paid. As you must have rightly observed, our administration has always taken the care of the elderly and the vulnerable a matter of utmost priority. This, we have demonstrated in actions.
"We want to assure you of our determination to continue to accord this critical segment our priority at all times. Our commitment to this principle is the sole motivation for our continuous prioritisation of bulk payment of gratuity to all pensioners in Ondo State without discrimination".
Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that the era of selective payment based on a pensioner's location within the power equation in the State, which has generated so much tension, misgivings and avoidable rat race for access to the various loci of power for advantage, has been put to an end.
"It is this stark reality which confronted us in the past that propelled us to emplace a payment system that recognises the year of exit from the public service as the only criterion for access to payment of gratuity to pensioners in Ondo State.
"My dear senior citizens and good people of Ondo State, let us continue to pray for improved finances for our State to enable government to meet its obligations to the citizens in general and our senior citizens in particular. With improved finances, the bulk payment of all accumulated gratuity for retirees of subsequent years would be assured", he concluded.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip stated that the function came from a godly mind, adding that the Governor has started well.
He noted that the payment of gratuity will give the retirees comfort, he also assured the Governor that the retirees would continue to pray for him.
He also congratulated the beneficiaries, stressing that their payment came during their life time. He added that other payments are already on the way.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Hon. Johnson Osunyemi appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for not forgetting the retirees.
He noted that the payment will go a long way for them as it has been long expected, he assured the Governor of the retiree's support at the forthcoming election in the State.
Other retirees in their happy mood, sang songs to hail and appreciate the Governor, describing him as a fair, just and a man of his words and also had a prayer session for the Governor.
The event held at the Cocoa conference hall, Alagbaka, Akure had in attendance ; The Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Speaker, members of Ondo State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, State Chairman SUBEB, Rt Hon. Victor Olabimtan, Director General, OSRC Media group, Mr Kenneth Stevenson Odusola
