Pensioners in Ondo State, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), have cried out over backlog of unpaid gratuities, as well as outstanding monthly pension by the State government.
While appealing to Akeredolu to clear the outstanding payments, the pensioners stated that most of them who retired since 2011 from the local government service were yet to be paid their gratuity, while those within the state civil service had not been paid since 2013.
The pensioners disclosed this during the commemoration of this year’s Pensioners’ Day held on Tuesday at the Union’s Secretariat, Akure, the State capital.
According to the NUP State Chairman, Hon. Johnson Osunyemi, the government should expedite action in the payment of eight months arrears of the monthly pensions of the State and over six months for Local Governments’ pensioners.
Osunyemi, however, commended Akeredolu for being the first governor in the Southwest to approve the implementation of the 33 percent pension increase in 2020.
He canvassed for online verification for pensioners across the state.
“We wish to profer a more holistic approach to future verification of pensioners by adopting online verification where our aged pensioners can be verified from the comfort of their homes without being subjected to the discomfort of the present system of verification,” he said.
While assuring the pensioners of his administration’s commitment at ensuring their optimal welfare, Governor Akeredolu disclosed that three months arrears of the pension would be paid before the end of 2021.
According to Akeredolu, who was represented by the Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo, the COVID-19 pandemic and other subsequent variants affected the finances of the State, which he said had adverse effect on regular and full payment of salaries and pension.
