ONDO PAYS 534 LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS, PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS N1BILLION GRATUITY BACKLOG

Read Time:2 Minute, 14 Second

ONDO PAYS 534 LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS, PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
N1BILLION GRATUITY BACKLOG

The Ondo State Government has flagged off the enblock payment of of backlog of Gratuities, as One billion Naira was paid Five hundred and thirty four beneficiaries.

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who flagged off the programme in Akure said beneficiaries of the programme are retirees from the Local Government Service and Primary School Teachers from 2011 and part of 2012.

Arakunrin Akeredolu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Labour and Union Matters, Mr Dare Aragbaye explained that One Billion Naira was set aside to pay a large chunk of these categories of workers, either dead or living.

In furtherance of the resolve of his administration to put smiles on the faces of elder citizens of the State and ameliorate their sufferings, another one billion Naira will be approved for another tranche to be paid in the first quarter of next year.

He refreshed the memories of all present, that his administration inherited seven months of Salary arrears, Pensions, Leave Bonuses and Gratuities that it has struggled to defray.

Prioritising Workers and Elderly Citizens welfare, Akeredolu said his administration has paid up to date, Salaries of Local Government Workers and Pensions.

While thanking the people and promising that the government will continue to play its role effectively, Akeredolu urged the people to continue to support and cooperate with government.

In his remark, the Ondo State Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele appreciated the Governor for making it easy to take care of elderly citizens in the State as their Pensions have been paid up to date and their Gratuities paid regularly, though not enblock until now.

He thanked retirees in the State for their Cooperation and show of understanding with the government as the delay in the enblock payment of gratuities is not the fault of the present administration, as the liabilities inherited in terms of Salaries, Pensions, Leave Bonuses and Gratuities was enormous.

Kayode Ogundele craved the continued cooperation and support of Civil and Public Servants for the government.

The Chairman Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ondo State Chapter, Hon. Benson Osunyemi rated Ondo State Government the best in Nigeria, in terms of Pensioners Welfare, as the Governor in his words, does not trivialize matters relating to them.

Earlier in his welcome Address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs , Alhaji Amidu Takuro thanked the Governor for clearing the backlog of Salary Arrears and Pensions owed Local Government Workers and Retirees.

According to a statement signed by the Head of Media in the ministry, Abooluwa Famakinwa, he pledged the support and Cooperation of Traditional Rulers and the 3rd Tier of Government.