Gov Abiodun wants us to get our gratuity in the grave – Ogun LG pensioners

Retirees in Ogun State have decried what they described as ill  treatment of pensioners by the state government, accusing governor Abiodun of trying to pay them their gratuity in the grave.

The pensioners under the umbrella of Local Government Pensioners Association stressed that Abiodun’s refusal to pay pensioners their Gratuities is a total disrespect to their fundamental rights.

The Chairman of the association, Chief Sikiru Ayilara during the 2021 Pensioners Day held at the association’s secretariat at the weekend in Abeokuta the State Capital, regretted that the N500m outstanding gratuity paid early this year was secretly paid to unknown person disguising as members of the associates.

His words”It saddens, facing the reality at eleventh hour of our lives that Gov Dapo Abiodun in whom we nurtured brighter hope of receiving the fruitage of our hard labour has resolved to treat us as ‘used and dumped’.

“The truth is, in the last two and half years, Gov Abiodun has been giving flimsy excuse; insufficient funds to clear the ₦68bn.

“What about the outstanding ₦20bn of those who have retired between June 2019 and December 2021?

“Whereas, Gov Zulum of Borno State, in spite of the incessant insurgencies in the state, was able to source for sufficient fund to pay ₦12bn outstanding Gratuity in one day.

“Gov Seyi Makinde received an Award recently through his Commissioner of Information being a friend of Pensioners for his sincerity of purpose towards payment of gratuity. Of recent, Makinde paid ₦8bn outstanding Gratuity in a day; a State with low IGR compared to Ogun State of Prince Dapọ Abiodun.

“Gov Oyetola has paid over ₦40bn within the last three years, in addition to the lastest ₦708m to 300 retirees.

“Gov Sanwo-Olu who makes sure Pensioners get deserved priority has paid ₦32.8bn Gratuity for 8,170 retirees in two years.

After all, former Governor Gbenga Daniel paid all outstanding gratuity in one day.

“We are begging all the Lovers of the Aged in Ogun State, Nigeria by extension, to please talk to Gov Dapo Abiodun in the language he understands so that the Local Govt Pensioners wouldn’t toil for 35 years in vain.

“Among others, our requests remain as follows;

” Immediate harmonization of monthly pension from ₦5,000 to at least ₦80,000 or how would Mr Governor expects Pensioners who have worked for between ten and thirty-five years to continue receiving ₦5,000 as monthly pension in a State that pays ₦30,500 as minimum wage!

“Re-scheduling of outstanding Gratuity payment from ₦500m every four months to at least ₦2bn monthly, so that Dapo Abiodun led administration can earn a good reputation for clearing the ₦68bn in three years.

“Gov Abiodun should restore the principal responsibility of Bureau of Local Govt Pension by directing the Ministry of Finance to handoff from doing the payment of Gratuity.

“Gov Abiodun’s non-clearing of our Gratuities is even a dishonour to all fathers and mothers, particularly his own father who appealed to him at the point of death to cater for the aged.

“Meanwhile, according to a Holy Book, whoever dishonor the aged should not expect Divine favour.

He  implore fellow Pensioners not to lose hope but to continue looking upon the good Lord who will without fail provide for our needs adequately and take revenge against oppressors.