By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
A cross section of retired Local Government Staff/Primary School Teachers, yet to be paid their gratuities and pensions in Delta State, yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Asaba, the capital of the State.
The protesting retirees carrying placards with different inscriptions, started their protest walk from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Secretariat, DLA road Asaba, down to Government House Gate Anwai road, before proceeding to the Event and Convention Center, in Okpanam road, where Governor Okowa was attending to Programmes.
On regaining consciousness after about an hour, one of the collapsed retirees from Ughelli South, Alfred Esiphri said “it becomes disheartening that Government is unable to pay our gratuities and pensions after serving thirty five years”.
In a press statement signed by four officers of the executive, including Augustine Mode (Chairman, LOC. Govt. Retiree), Henry Tukpe (Secretary, LOC. Govt. Retiree), Chief Mrs. Ejieh H.C (Chairman, Primary School Retiree), and Prince Etuwede (Secretary, Primary School Retiree), distributed to Journalists in Asaba, the retirees alleged that they were being owed fifty-four billion, four hundred and sixty-three million, nine hundred and fifty thousand, nine hundred and twelve naira, as at October, 2021.
The statement also alleged they have been denied access to their contributions made to PFA since the inception of the new contributory scheme in 2011.
“Over 6,683 pensioners were languishing in poverty because they were denied pension and gratuity, and wondered if it was a crime to serve the fatherland for 35 years.
“The current N300M being released monthly to offset the above amount is grossly inadequate as it will take over 15 years to offset the N54, 463,940,912:00
“Our presence here is to once again call Gov Okowa attention to the untold hardshiof our over 6’683 yet to be paid Retirees in Delta State. Our retirees are dying in their numbers, while some are in ill-health, penury, lack and wants. The humiliation is too much, or is it a crime to serve one’s fatherland”. The statement added.
The pensioners said they came down to Asaba because Gov Okowa turned blind eyes and deaf ears to their suffering and several pleas and appeals to him.
They however demanded monthly allocation to the Bureau of Local Government to be increased from N300m to N2bn and for a lump sum of N10 billion to help reduce the burden of indebtedness.
The statement also charged Gov Okowa to compel the leadership of ALGON to work out modalities with the Accountant General to remit N5.9 billion unremitted deductions that accrued to the Bureau during the era of non-payment of salaries between 2015-2017.
“Or you, in alternative, should declare a state of emergency on this pension payment matter for local Government/Primary School Retirees and source for bonds to offset it, for the sake of our suffering”. It stated.