The Ondo State Government has released a sum of One billion Naira for payment of Arrears of Gratuities for Five hundred and Thirty Four (534) Pensioners who retired as primary school teachers and the state’s Local Government service.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaye, during the Flag Off Ceremony assured the senior citizens of continued support of the government in making life Conducive for them.
The payment represents that of 2011 and part of 2012.
Read the governor’s speech at the event below:
AKEREDOLU, ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNORREOFO LONDO STATE, ANAKUNRIN OLUWAROTIMI ODUNAYO AT THE FLAG-OFF CEREMONY FOR THE GRATUITY ARREARS FOR RETIREES SAN, CON, DEFRAYAL OF GRADUAL OF LOCALE GOVERNMENT AND PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN ONDO STATE, HELD AT THE AND RNATIONAL CENTRE FOR CULTURE STATE OFVENTS (THE DOME), IGBATORO ROAD, AKURE, ONDO STATE ON THURSDAYE 30TH NOVEMBER, 2023
PROTOCOL
I am delighted to be at this epoch-making event that marks the commencement of the gradual defrayal of the backlog of arrears of gratuities for retirees of our Local Government Service and public primary schools in Ondo State.
As a people-friendly government, we have graciously approved and released a lump sum of N1.0bn from the October 2023 FAAC Allocation to the Local Governments for the first phase of the gradual defrayal of the arrears of gratuities being owed retirees of the Local Government Service and public primary school teachers in our dear State. This has become imperative despite other pressing financial commitments of government and the limited resources available.
You would all recall that at inception in February 2017, our administration met arrears of seven months’ salaries for both the State and Local Governments staff. It is, therefore, gladdening that barely a month after the full settlement of all outstanding salaries to the Local Government staff and their primary school counterparts, the sum of N1.0bn has been set aside to pay a large chunk of arrears of gratuities, being owed this category of workers who had long retired from active service. It is worth mentioning that the State Government has been consistently releasing appreciable amount of money to offset part of these arrears of gratuities on a monthly basis.
This current gesture is a clear demonstration of our resolve to continue to take the welfare of both serving and retired workers with all the seriousness it deserves. As we have often stated, we shall not play politics with the welfare and comfort of our people.
Let me inform the gathering that this first tranche of N1.0bn has been devoted to fully pay the gratuities of this category of workers who retired in 2011 and part of 2012, including the benefits of those of them that are dead. This is done with a determination that, another tranche would soon be approved to cater for the next batch within the first quarter of 2024.
I appeal to other retirees who are yet to benefit from this special intervention to be patient with the State Government as they will be taken care of as soon as possible.
Let me also put it on record that this administration has changed the past unenviable practice where pensioners were owed several monthly pensions in the State. These days, workers and pensioners are paid their entitlements at the same time.
I am glad to inform you that government has fully paid all outstanding salaries and pension allowances of all retirees within this category of staff which were ostensibly inherited from the previous administration.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me take this opportunity to inform this gathering
that our administration’s commitment to the security of all inhabitants of this State remains topmost on the list of our priorities. To this end, the State Government is continually committing enormous resources to strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of equipment and human resources. This is in addition to the provision of fund and other logistical supports to other sister security agencies operating in Ondo State. We, therefore, call for the support and co-operation of all to make the safety of lives and property in our state a topnotch. This is because security matters cannot be left to the government alone.
Let me further reiterate that we will not renege on our commitment to the provision of basic infrastructure and amenities for our people. We can all attest to the fact that all ongoing projects across our dear State are being pursued with renewed vigour with a view to completing them in record time. In spite of some challenges, we have consistently kept faith with all the promises we made to the good people of the Sunshine State.
Again, mindful of the need to bring on board some of our youth into the public service, our government has laid out plans to soon commence the recruitment of hundreds of health workers as well as other categories of public servants into some critical sectors.
This motley of demands has not made our government to forget the plight of our retirees, hence this particular disbursement to pay a huge part of their gratuities which have been long overdue. I must also restate our resolve to make this type of defrayment a regular exercise so that all arrears of gratuities could be settled in no time.
On this note, I hereby flag-off the disbursement of the sum of N1.0bn to defray part of the arrears of gratuities owed retired Local Governments staff and primary school teachers in Ondo State, to the glory of God and the benefit of our senior citizens.
I thank you all and God bless.
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