The Action Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke, has raised concerns over delays in the payment of pensions and gratuities to retired civil servants in the state.
Adegoke alleged that some retirees wait between seven and 10 years to receive their gratuities, while many also spend months awaiting enrolment into the pension payment system.
He described the situation as worrisome and unacceptable, calling for an overhaul of the state’s pension and gratuity administration.
The ADC candidate made the remarks on Monday while addressing party members and supporters from Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba and Afijio Local Government Areas.
The gathering was attended by hundreds of party chieftains and members from the four local government areas.
Adegoke criticised what he described as an outdated system of processing pension and gratuity payments, saying the delays have left many retired civil servants struggling to access benefits they are entitled to.
According to him, retirees should not be forced to wait several years after leaving active service before receiving their entitlements.
He outlined plans to reform the system, promising that the process of securing gratuities would begin before a worker’s retirement.
“It is sad that retired civil servants often wait for seven to 10 years before they receive their gratuities and several months before they are enrolled for pension. We will change all that,” Adegoke said.
He added that, under his proposed system, the processing of gratuities would begin before retirement to ensure that retirees can access their benefits immediately after leaving service.
He also said pension enrolment would be initiated months before retirement, allowing retirees to commence receiving their pensions without unnecessary delays.
“Before retirement, the process of gratuities would have started so that they can immediately benefit upon retirement. Also, a few months to retirement, the process for placement on pension payment will be worked out and upon retirement the retirees would immediately enjoy their pension,” he said.
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