The Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has applauded Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for earmarking a sum of N5.6billion to offset backlog of gratuity of retirees under the employment of the state government.
The congress also praised the local government administration in the state for allocating N2.5billion to clear outstanding gratuity of some categories of pensioners in their employment.
The state NLC Chairman, Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, said this in a statement he personally signed and made available to Journalists in Ilorin Thursday.
Olayinka explained that the gesture demonstrated the state and local governments’ commitment to the well being and welfare of senior citizens, who committed best part of their life to the advancement of Kwara project.
He said the governments, with this development, had shown that those who served the state and local government areas for 30 or 35 years deserved payment of their entitlements without any encumbrance.
Olayinka recalled the challenges facing retirees who have had to grapple with unpaid gratuity before the advent of Governor AbdulRazaq-led administration, describing the incumbent government’s intervention as timely.
The NLC Chairman, however, urged both the state and local governments not to rest on their oars in clearing the remainder of the gratuity, declaring that the organized labour was excited with the genuine concern of the governments for the well being of pensioners.
“The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kwara State Council, extends heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the recent approval of N8.1billion to offset of gratuity of our deserving retirees—both at the local government and state levels.
“This gesture demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees who have dedicated their productive years to the service of our dear state. It also rekindles hope and strengthens the bond of trust between the government and the labour community.
“We commend the Governor’s responsiveness to the matter on workers’ welfare and encourage sustained partnership in addressing other pending labour-related concerns across all sectors.
“The congress assures the government of our continued cooperation toward industrial harmony, progress, and shared prosperity for all workers and residents of Kwara State.
“Our belief as organized labour is that Kwara is moving steadily in addressing the arrears of gratuity, we can only plead with the government to commit more financial resources to this cause so that all retirees can be relieved,” Olayinka said.
