The Ondo State government on Friday began the payment of N3.2 billion outstanding gratuities to pensioners in the state.

At the event in Akure, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the N3.2 billion disbursement would offset the gratuity owed to the 2015 retirees under the State Pension Scheme.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said that N1 billion would be used to offset the gratuity of local government retirees in 2012 and 2013, while N2.2 billion would be used to offset the 2015 gratuity of state pensioners.

“Our well-conceived approach to gratuity payment is to tackle the frightening arrears which have, more or less, made our respectable retirees lose hope.

“By this sure and steady mode of bulk payment, all retirees should be rest assured that sooner than later, the backlog of gratuities would be fully paid.

“We consider this a duty, despite other pressing financial commitments of government and the limited resources available,” the governor said.

He promised that his administration would continue providing the people with basic infrastructure.

“As our finances improve, more special interventions will be made to gradually defray the backlog of arrears of subsequent years, God willing.

“Let me, therefore, appeal to other retirees who are yet to have their turn, to be patient with the government, as they will be taken care of as soon as possible,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.

Earlier, Amidu Takuro, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, appreciated the governor for paying the outstanding gratuity.

Mr Takuro, while acknowledging the hardship retirees faced, highlighted the governor’s concerns for their well-being.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state, Johnson Osunyemi, also commended the governor for paying the outstanding gratuity.

One of the beneficiaries, Adedayo Ajayi, thanked the governor for paying the outstanding gratuity.

(NAN)