Many believe that Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s decision to authorize the payment of gratuities owed to pensioners since 2012 will alleviate the state’s long-standing problem with retired civil officials.
The state government has started disbursing N1 billion as the first batch of payments, following a vow to remove the backlog left by past administrations, according to a statement released Monday by Fred Itua, the governor’s chief press secretary.
Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to putting retired civil officials’ well-being first after their many years of service to the government.
The statement added, “For over a decade, many of our retirees have suffered due to the non-payment of their gratuities. This administration is putting an end to that hardship.”
“I have approved the release of N1 billion for the first phase of payments, and we will not rest until all outstanding entitlements are cleared.”
The governor reiterated that his administration is committed to restoring the dignity of pensioners by ensuring that they receive their due benefits without further delay.
“We recognise the sacrifices made by our retirees, and it is unacceptable that they have had to wait this long for what is rightfully theirs.”
“Our administration will not only clear these arrears but will also put measures in place to ensure such delays do not happen in the future,” Okpebholo stated.”
He reiterated that the objective of his administration is to gradually pay off all unpaid gratuities so that retirees can benefit from their hard work.
The governor also promised that pensioners will get payments in stages following a systematic verification process, and that the disbursement process would be transparent and equitable.
“This is just the beginning. We will not abandon our pensioners. We are determined to ensure that those who served Edo State diligently are treated with the respect and care they deserve,” the governor said.
