As part of its commitment to improving the welfare of senior citizens, the Ondo State Government has announced plans to commence the bulk payments of gratuity arrears to Local Government retirees and Primary School Teachers who retired in 2014, beginning Monday.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, disclosed this development while noting that previous administrations either failed to pay gratuities or did so in piecemeal, often favouring only those with strong connections.

Takuro stated that Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, moved by the plight of long-awaiting retirees, had resolved to clear the backlog of unpaid gratuities left by his predecessors.

“For those that retired between 2010 – 2013, we have paid almost 12 billion Naira because these people have provided their services meritoriously to the people of Ondo State,” he said. “They have retired for many years and they haven’t been paid, though not under this administration, but government is a continuum. Mr Governor is passionate about these people and has taken good leadership step to address the situation. On Monday, we will pay the 2014 retirees of the Local Government.”

Expressing concern over past practices, the Commissioner condemned attempts by some retirees to offer bribes to fast-track their payments, describing it as disheartening.

“When I resumed in this office, 80 per cent of people that came to my office for help were pensioners; they would even be negotiating, telling me that they would give me particular percentage just for them to be paid their gratuities,” he revealed. “I felt sorry for them and I said we must do something to address their plights and that they don’t need to know me before they receive their gratuities.”

Takuro emphasized that although the state still has a long way to go in settling all outstanding gratuities, the current administration remains determined to change the narrative.

“Though we still have a long way to go in the payment of gratuities, with the purposeful leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa, we are convinced that all these would soon become a thing of the past,” he added.