The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kogi state chapter, Comrade Amari Gabriel, has called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to settle the outstanding backlog of gratuities for retirees, which has accumulated to over billions of naira.
He made this appeal on Thursday during the celebration of this year’s Workers’ Day.
The labour leader acknowledged the state government’s efforts to address critical issues affecting retirees.
“Many retirees have dedicated the majority of their youthful years to the development of the state, yet they have nothing to rely on after retirement, except for hope.
“We humbly request and appeal for a concerted effort to clear the accumulated gratuities through the use of available funds or bonds with favourable terms between the state government and organized labour,” he said.
Comrade Amari, however, expressed confidence on the Governor’s disposition to issues of this nature and assured pensioners that the request will be given considerable attention to ameliorate their plight.
He drew the attention of Governor Ododo to the appalling state of affairs at the Kogi State Traffic Management Authority (KOTRAMA), where members of staff were offered appointments since 2019 with no condition of service.
He appealed that the Governor convert the members of staff of the agency to either the vehicle inspection officers (VIO) Department of the State Ministry of Works or other agencies of the state government where they will be properly placed with working conditions.
