The Ondo State Government has commenced the payment of N3.897 billion in gratuities to 1,038 local government employees and primary school teachers who retired in 2016.
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the flag-off ceremony in Akure on Thursday, described the payment as “an earned right and not a favour or political largesse.”
He said the money would be paid directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure transparency and eliminate extortion.
The governor urged retirees yet to benefit to remain patient, assuring them that his administration was committed to clearing all outstanding gratuity arrears.
Aiyedatiwa also announced a free healthcare package for senior citizens under the ORANGHIS Scheme and unveiled an online platform to enable pensioners process their retirement documents without visiting government offices.
He advised beneficiaries to use the funds prudently and beware of fraudsters targeting retirees.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro said that the government was committed to the betterment of people of the state.
Appreciating the gesture, the state Chairman of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP, Johnson Osunyemi, said that the state had become a pride among pensioners across the country.
He lauded the governor for exhibiting human feeling in attending to welfare and well-being of people in the state.
NAN
