Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the payment of gratuities owed to retired civil servants since 2012, marking a significant move to address the decade-long backlog.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the state government has commenced the disbursement of N1 billion as the first phase of payments. The initiative, the statement noted, is part of the administration’s efforts to fulfil its commitment to pensioners and resolve liabilities inherited from previous administrations.
“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,” the statement quoted Governor Okpebholo as saying.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to the welfare of retired workers, stressing that those who served the state deserve to receive their entitlements 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,” he said. “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 further stated that the payments would be made in phases and guided by a structured verification process to ensure transparency and fairness.
“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,” he added.
