Pensioners in Ondo State yesterday gave the state government a four-day ultimatum to pay their gratuities and pension arrears or face their wrath.
The pensioners, who retired from the civil service, teaching service and local government service at a meeting held in Akure, the state capital, stated the ultimatum became necessary, as all entreaties made to the government yielded no result.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, secretary of Akure chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Mr. Funso Odere, stated none of those who retired since 2011 had received their gratuity.
Odere stated the total indebtedness of the state government to the pensioners in terms of gratuity aside the monthly pension was about N15 billion.
“Certain amount of money is being deducted from our monthly pension which is illegal. They stated the money is being paid to consultant. It is the state government that should pay the consultant and not the pensioners. They should stop these illegal deductions and pay us the money deducted from our monthly pension,” he stated.