The Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria has called on the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to settle their outstanding gratuities and harmonize their monthly pension.
According to Benedict Ademoye, the amount of gratuity that is yet to be paid has accumulated to over sixty billion dollars.
He lamented that the governor paid only N3 billion out of it.
Speaking on the N80 billion that was spent on the settlement of pensioners, by the governor, he said the money paid is different from the gratuity they are requesting for.
He said, “pension is constitutional, it is mandatory, pension is in the law. So any government that comes has to pay pension, and the figure the governor gave you is correct, yes, it’s just like when we are at work, and we are taking our salary.
“That one is constitutional, it is mandatory for the government to pay that one, but that’s aside from gratuity which has accumulated to N68 billion and the government has paid just about three billion out of it.
“The delegation of four, led by late chief Sikiru Ayilara, who is the association’s former chairman, met the governor on the 16th of August 2022, and of course, the government acceded to our request. the governor promised that he will increase it as revenue increases.”
“Late Chief Ayilara asked for two billion naira every month, and this has to be merged with the revenue and capability, of course, to pay.
“But after that meeting, the quarterly release was increased to 600 million naira, 300 million naira for the state pensioner, and another 300 million naira for the local government pensioners.
“We cannot be satisfied because N68 billion to N3 billion is not enough. We are hoping for the best.
He mentioned that the increment in the amount of quarterly release of fund for the payment of arrears of gratuity is yet to be addressed by the government.
He said that after the meeting with the government, the governor promised to take necessary action in respect of; an increase in the amount of quarterly release of funds for the payment of arrears of gratuity and harmonization of monthly pensions.
He urged the state government not to relent, as he said that he appreciated all their efforts.
He said that progress has been made. We will not give up until victory is achieved. Settlement of all outstanding arrears of gratuities and harmonization of monthly pensions is what it is. There will be a new lease of life for each and every LG pensioner in the state.
He appreciated the governor and urged him to make the state’s retirees happy.
He said that the association hoped that retirees would laugh at the end.
He respectfully called on His Excellency. The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, should not relent in his efforts to see that the outstanding gratuities are paid and monthly pensions are paid to the retirees in the state. I wish him and his family well.
I am hopeful that Pensioners will laugh and pay the gratuity.
The new executive came on board about two and a half months ago, after we lost our leader.
Since that two and half months, we have been consulting with government agencies that are relevant to our course.
We were getting positive responses until this moment. We know this is a political issue, but we will not lose focus.
