Ekiti State Plans to Create Measures to Clear the Backlog of Pensioners’ Gratuities in the State.

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, disclosed yesterday that his administration will put in place creative measures aimed at clearing the backlog of pensioners’ gratuities in the State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fayemi spoke at a meeting with the executive members of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).

Fayemi expressed displeasure at the condition of the pensioners, saying that it was a consequence of non-payment of their gratuities and irregularity in payment of pension.

NAN reports that the pensioners led by their chairman, Ayo Kumapayi, had visited the governor to congratulate him on his recent victory at the Court of Appeal which had affirmed his election.

The governor said his administration had effected a 100 per cent increase in the fund meant for gratuity payment.

According to him, the sum has been increased from N10 million to N100million monthly in order to capture more pensioners in the process.

“What we are doing right now is mainly a stop gap measure to ensure that the number of people who can access gratuity increases because how many retirees can N10 million cater for even if it is N2 million gratuity that everyone is entitled to? ”Then barely four people would benefit,’’ he said

Ikumapayi commended the government for prompt payment of pension allowances and approval of immediate increase in the monthly gratuity fund from N10million to N100million monthly.

According to him, the gesture has allowed for more retirees to be catered for every month.