Says endless wait for payment of gratuity over
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday, presented cheques worth N915 million as gratuities to 289 state, local council and primary school retirees in the state.
Oyebanji, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to programmes and policies that will enhance quality of life of Ekiti State residents, especially pensioners, said payment of the gratuity was in fulfilment of his campaign promise of shared prosperity, adding that his administration would continue to ensure that pensioners enjoy a worthy life after their meritorious service to the state.
The governor, while presenting the cheques to the retirees at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, said he was not unaware of challenges confronting the retires as a result of regrettable delay in accessing their gratuities as and when due.
He assured the retirees that his government is irrevocably committed to ending the regime of endless wait in payment of gratuities.
He informed the gathering that since the inception of his administration in October 2022, over 1.2 billion Naira had been paid as gratuity to both the State and Local government retirees while payment of monthly pensions had been regular.
The Governor charged the beneficiaries to utilize the money wisely by using it to take good care of their health to improve the quality of their lives.
“Today’s event is an actualization of one of my electioneering promises to our people. As I had promised you, I am committed to all programmes and policies that will enhance the quality of life, especially our pensioners who had spent their youthful age in the service of our dear State. Without any doubt, today’s event is another fulfilment our promise to make life worth living for our pensioners and commitment to our shared prosperity agenda.
“As elders and critical stakeholders who occupy strategic position in the scheme of things, our government is living no stone unturned to ensure that you all live a quality and happy life at retirement. I am aware of the many odds and challenges confronting retirees as a result of the regrettable delay in accessing your gratuity as and when due.
“I am therefore committed to ensuring that the welfare of our retirees continues to be of topmost priority. We are also irrevocably committed to ending the regime of endless wait in the payment of gratuity by our senior citizens. This is a priority for us and we will continue to explore innovative ways to support you in your retirement.
“Since we came on board, we have always paid pensions along with salaries of public servants. This, I assure you, will continue. Today, the sum of N700 million has be paid out to 192 retired civil servants as gratuity and the sum of N215 million to 79 Local Government retirees”. The Governor stated.
In their goodwill messages, the State Chairmen of Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, Elder Joel Akinola Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde; Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sola Adigun and Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Femi Ajoloko expressed their appreciation to the Governor for making welfare of workers in the state a top priority in his agenda.
The Labour leaders commended the achievements of the Governor in just 200 days in office and pledged continued support of senior citizens and workers in the state to the success of the administration adding the state never had it so good as far as the welfare of the elderly was concerned.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Beatrice Ogunjemilua and Mr Alonge Michael Alabi thanked the Governor for fulfilling the promises he made to pensioners during his electioneering campaign and prayed for him for long life and wisdom to continue to paddle the affairs of the state to greater heights.
