Ogun release N1.5bn for pensioners, ex-political office holders

The Ogun State Government has released the sum of N1.5 billion for the payment of gratuities to pensioners and severance package of former political office holders.

According to the official information obtained by BusinessDay, the money will be paid to 561 ex-civil servants and some former political office holders who had earlier served the State in different capacities.

In a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, the gratuities will cover the civil servants who retired between May 2011 and November 2012 who have filed their papers with the State Bureau of Pensions while ex- political office holders who served between 2007 and 2011 but were not paid their severance package by the last administration will benefit from the fund.

The fresh release of N1.5 billion will further clear the arrears of pensions which dated back to 2008 inherited by the Governor Amosun Administration. With the release of fund, the arrears are due to be cleared up to November 2012.

The payment of gratuity and severance package is a further fulfilment of the promise by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to ensure that everybody who served the state in various capacities and contributed to its development will be paid their dues since the current office holders will one day leave office to become ex- office holders.

RAZAQ AYINLA