The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has directed the Bureau of Local Government Pensions to commence the immediate disbursement of N1bn gratuity, released by the government to both state and local government pensioners.
The Permanent Secretary of the bureau, Mrs Olubukola Adeniregun, according to the media aide of the agency, Azeezat Sadiku, disclosed this on Tuesday when speaking with newsmen in her office at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.
Adeniregun said the government had been prioritising the payment of gratuity to pensioners who had contributed meaningfully in their active years to take the state to the current pedestal.
She said, “You will recall that Prince Dapo Abiodun, during the interactive session with pensioners at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, increased the quarterly disbursement of their gratuity from N600 million to N1 billion. Now, he has matched words with action, signifying a leader with the rare quality of promise made, promise kept.”
Adeniregun further noted that the payment of monthly pensions had been regular and the quarterly disbursement of gratuity to pensioners has equally been continuous, adding that the governor has given irrevocable approval for the prompt payment of monthly pensions to take effect before the salary of serving workers.
She posited that under the ongoing palliative measures being put in place by the state government, the senior citizens were not left out, as they have been paid their N10,000 monthly palliative to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.
She added that the money is expected to be paid for three consecutive months at the initial instance.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Benedict Ademoye, his counterpart for the Association of Retired Primary School Teachers, Mr. Zaacheous Adekoya and leader of Retired Primary School Teachers Association of Nigeria, Mrs Caroline Oguntola; appreciated the governor for the increment in the quarterly disbursement of gratuity of retirees from N600 million to N1 billion.
They noted that the regular payment of monthly pensions is also worthy of commendation, urging the governor to continue his good works at making life more abundant for the senior citizens.
