By Our Correspondent
Pensioners in Kwara state have cried out to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq over delayed payment of gratuities after 35 years retirement from service.
Findings by the National Pilot newspaper on Monday, revealed that about N17b outstanding debt as gratuities is currently hanging on the neck of the present state government inherited since 2015.
However, only a paltry sum of N100m is released monthly for the payment of this backlog to these retired civil servants by the government.
Our correspondent gathered that the sum of N100m released by the government monthly, could hardly meet the multitude of retirees who continue to multiply every month.
A credible source in the state pensions board along Offa Road, in Ilorin the state capital, informed that unless the state government increases the monthly fund released for payment of gratuities, the pathetic situation will continue unabated.
“The Secretary of the pension board, is always under pressure and threat from desperate retirees.
“There are times when people insult the secretary , believing he is deliberately punishing them by delaying payment of their gratuities.
“As we speak, we are still paying gratuities of 2015 pensioners and this is year 2023, you can now see our dilemma, just because our monthly funds cannot cope with the volume of the beneficiaries on ground.
“Apart from Kaduna and Bornu states that have cleared their inherited outstanding debt as gratuities, no state including Kwara has been able to achieve that feat across the country,” the source added.
A pensioner who preferred anonymity, pleaded with the governor to come to the rescue of pensioners, describing them as senior citizens of the state who should not be made to suffer after serving the state.
He called for an upward review of the monthly fund to the pensions board in the bid to meet the yearnings and aspirations of retirees yet to collect their gratuities.
“We are really going through severe hardship as our hopes of getting our dues after retirement and serving the state for 35 years have been dashed.
“How do we hope that our dues will be paid before our demise, without enjoying the fruit of our labour, ” he queried.
