14 years after, Edo council pensioners get gratuity
Teachers and local government workers in Edo State that retired in 2012 yesterday received their gratuity. The benefits were paid from the N1billion recently released by Governor Monday Okpebholo. Many
Teachers and local government workers in Edo State that retired in 2012 yesterday received their gratuity. The benefits were paid from the N1billion recently released by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Many of the beneficiaries could not hold back tears as they collected their cheques.
Some pensioners, who retired between 2009 and 2011, were captured in the payment. Others who are currently critically ill but retired from 2013, were paid on compassionate grounds.
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Chairman, Local Government Staff Pension Bureau, Kabiru Adjoto, who presented the cheques, said Governor Okpebholo has promised to release another N1billion for payment of 2013 retirees.
Adjoto said Okpebholo was serious about payment of gratuities.
He said payment made to retirees from 2009 to 2011 was to ensure previous backlogs were cleared.
According to Adjoto, “Okpebholo said it was unfortunate that gratuity was allowed to be accumulated. He said another N1billion will be released once we commence this payment. That means it will be a continuous exercise. We discovered that there were some persons who retired from 2009 to 2011 that have not been paid. We brought the backlog and cleared all of them. Before Friday this week, Governor Okpebholo said he will release another N1billion.
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“The governor wants Edo to be a model for Nigeria. Okpebholo is serious about gratuity. He is not happy about the accumulation. You will get your money.
“We have a government that is willing and determined to pay. It is going to be a continuous exercise. I appeal to you to be patient.”
Adjoto cautioned the pensioners against paying money for them to collect their cheques.
“It is criminal to pay to collect your cheque. Don’t give anybody money to influence your payment. There is no 10 per cent to pay. Anybody that demands one per cent from you, report him to the pension bureau.”
Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Samuel Okhuelegbe, thanked the governor for the payment and called for more support from the state government.
