by Nurat Uthman
The Oyo State government said it has begun the payment of gratuity benefits to retirees via e-payment.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, August 31, 2024, by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, and made available to newsmen.
The statement partly read, “The state Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Olusegun Olayiwola, made this public during a three-day symbolic data capturing and e-payment exercise for retirees, at the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Building, Agbarigo, Onireke, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
“Olayiwola explained to the retirees that the e-payment would ensure a seamless and secure payment process, which he said, would be free from any potential disruptions.”
He disclosed further that the initiative involved capturing and validating retirees’ data from June 2014 to December 2014 and June 2019 to December 2019, adding that arrangements to promptly capture other retirees had also been made.
“Olayiwola assured pensioners of Governor Seyi Makinde’s total commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Chapter, and other relevant stakeholders towards improving the lives of retirees and all citizens of the state.”
The State Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Oyo State Chapter, Dr Olusegun Abatan, underscored the advantages of e-payment for retirees, emphasising that it would enhance security, accuracy and speed in the distribution of gratuities.
He lauded Governor Makinde for the promptness in the disbursement of gratuity funds since his assumption of office as the Oyo State governor in 2019.
In his closing remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments and Training, Mr Olajide Mamud Okesade, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde, the Head of Service, and the Commissioner, for the timely and consistent disbursement of Wage Awards and other dividends to retirees and civil servants.
He pointed out the benefits of e-payment to include security, faster access to funds, and the elimination of risks and delays associated with physical cheques, such as theft or loss.
