Fayemi approves monthly release of N100m for workers’ gratuity

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has approved monthly release of N100 million to clear accumulated gratuities of retired workers in the state.

The Governor had last month, approved a 100 per cent increase in monthly gratuity payment from N10 million to N20 million.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the directive takes immediate effect, pending the time the state government would be able to find a creative approach to resolve the huge outstanding gratuity obligations of the state.

“However, taking into consideration the current plight of many retired workers, who could not access their gratuity several years after their retirement owing to the paltry amount for gratuity payment, Governor Fayemi has directed the Ministry of Finance to further increase the monthly gratuity payment to N100 million per month. This was the amount paid per month during his first term.

“The Governor believes the increment will go a long way in ameliorating the plight of the state’s pensioners.”

In a related development, Governor Fayemi has also approved the payment of severance allowance and outstanding salaries of 19 former members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and their aides, who were allegedly denied their entitlement by the immediate past administration of Ayodele Fayose.

Oyebode added: “Governor Fayemi believes it is unjust to deny workers their wages. The governor said his administration will ensure that workers and pensioners get their entitlements as and when due.”