Aiyedatiwa Commences N1bn Gratuity Disbursement to Pensioners

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa says his government has commenced the disbursement of N1bn outstanding payment of gratuities of civil servants who retired from the Local Government service.

Speaking at the flag-off of the disbursement in Akure, Aiyedatiwa said his administration reviewed pensioners template for payment to swiftly process the outstanding payment.

The governor said the gesture became imperative to extend the efforts of his administration towards promoting the welfare of retirees in the state.

The first batch of the gratuity payment was disbursed to pensioners in November 2023, while another batch was done in January 2024.
The governor said: “Today is another landmark in our avowed commitment to the welfare of our people, including workers in service and at retirement in the Sunshine State.

“In November 2023, the first batch of this innovative bulk payment of outstanding gratuity of our former local government staff and primary school teachers was carried out.

“In January 2024, another flag-off of payment of N1.2 billion was also performed for the 2014 pensioners of the state civil service.”

He said the current batch focused predominantly on LG retirees from 2012 and aimed to settle remaining arrears from previous years, reiterating his administration’s dedication to the consistent and fair payment of pensions and gratuities to the retirees.

He urged those not included in the current batch to remain hopeful as the administration continued its efforts to improve the welfare of the greatest number of people.

The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr Johnson Osunyemi, confessed that the payment was a significant relief for the retirees as it had been long awaited.