Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Wednesday released severance allowance cheques totalling N1.5bn to former political appointees that served under the immediate-past governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, between 2007 and 2011 and those that served under him (Amosun) during his first term between 2011and 2015.
A total of 663 ex-political appointees made up of former commissioners, special assistants among others, were presented with their severance allowance cheques at the Arcade Ground, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor said the money was disbursed to all ex-political office holders irrespective of their political affiliations.
“It does not matter which political party or administration you have served, what matters is that you have served the state diligently and you deserve your entitlement,” he said.
Amosun noted that beyond the intention of his government to ensure that all those who had served the state diligently, were amply rewarded, the payment of the severance allowance would also directly impact positively on the economy of the state.
He assured the residents of more significant development, adding that his administration would leave the state better than it met it.
He said, “The state is now the industrial capital of the nation as about 110 multi-national companies have so far opened shop in the state.”
Amosun also hinted that the proposed light rail project would start in the first quarter of year 2017.
Speaking with journalists after the presentation, one of the beneficiaries, the former Commissioner For Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Aare Tunde Alabi, appreciated the governor “for keeping to his promise to pay former political appointees, notwithstanding their political leanings.”
