Past Governors, Deputies And Retirees In Ondo To Get N11 Billion In 2021 |The Source

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government is not contemplating to stop payment of pensions and gratuities to former governors of the state and their deputies.

To this end, a total sum of N10.916 billion has already been earmarked in this year’s budget for the payment of pensions, gratuity of pensioners, as well as payment of benefits to past Governors and their Deputies.

Reason for retention of benefits to past governors, according to the Commissioner  for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Emmanuel Igbasan, is because it was backed by the law.

Explaining the rationale behind this year’s budget to newsmen in Akure, on Tuesday, the Commissioner  pointed out that any future move to do so would have to get legal backing.

Only Dr Olusegun Mimiko, is a surviving past Governor, while ex-Deputy  Governors include Omolade Oluwateru, Ali Olanusi and Lasisi Oluboyo.

“As of now in Ondo state, payment of this stipends to them is a creation of Law, and until that law is reviewed, we just have to make a token provision for them and comply with the provision of extant laws.

“But essentially, the bulk of that money would go into the payment of gratuities and retirement benefits of our retirees.”

Lagos and Kwara states had, last year, announced the stoppage of pension to former governors and their deputies, citing economic realities occasioned by Covid 19 pandemic.