Prompt payment of pension not an achievement but constitutional obligation – Aiyedatiwa

…..Clears LG workers, Pry school teachers’ N1.4bn gratuity arrears for 2014

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the payment of ₦1.4 billion as gratuities to pensioners who retired from the state’s local government system and primary schools in 2014.

The payment, which was officially flagged off on Monday in Akure, marks the continuation of the state government’s effort to offset backlog of unpaid gratuities and pensions accumulated over the years.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the latest disbursement is part of a structured payment plan initiated during his tenure as Deputy Governor, aimed at clearing arrears in batches based on the year of retirement to ensure fairness, transparency and predictability.

He stated, “I started this initiative when I was Deputy Governor. Periodically, any time we have an allocation that is good enough, we put some money aside to settle the gratuities of our retirees. This will continue now that we are fully in charge.”

The Governor noted that the bulk payments for the 2011, 2012, and 2013 batches under his administration were unprecedented in the history of the state, adding that the 2014 group would now be fully settled.

“Today, we are exiting 2014, and very soon, we will exit 2015, and so on, until everybody is cleared,” he said. “Our government has paid deliberate attention to the welfare of pensioners in Ondo State. We even granted an upward review of a flat rate of ₦30,000 to cushion the effect of the global economic meltdown.”

Aiyedatiwa emphasised that prompt payment of pensions should not be seen as an achievement but as a constitutional and moral obligation to those who served the state meritoriously.

The Governor also announced the release of cheques to the next of kin of three local government workers who died in a motor accident while on official duty, describing the gesture as a token of government’s compassion.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola, who represented the Head of Service, lauded the Governor’s decision to prioritise pensioners despite competing developmental needs.

He said, “The Governor could have used ₦1.4 billion for other purposes, but he chose to prioritise our elderly citizens. What he is doing today is not only for the retirees but also for everyone still in service.”

Similarly, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, commended the Governor for sustaining the pension savings scheme he initiated, saying it has made regular payments possible.

Chairman of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Johnson Osunyemi, speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, applauded Governor Aiyedatiwa for restoring the dignity of retirees and rekindling their confidence in government.

Among dignitaries at the event were Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Chairman of SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan; and other senior government officials.