Public servants in Osun State, who retired between 2011 and 2012, on Monday protested against the delay in the payment of their pension arrears.
The protest was peaceful while the police monitored them as they marched through some major roads in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
They marched from Oke-fia area through Akindeko, Alekunwodo, Olaiya and Fakunle and Osogbo-Gbongan-Ibadan roads.
The large turnout of protesters, however, caused gridlock even as the protesters chanted solidarity songs.
Tunde Ogunniyi, the Chairman of the group, told the crowd that the protest became necessary as some of the pensioners had died due to the non-payment.
Ogunniyi said the pensioners had been unable to cater for the welfare of their families such as payment of children’s school fees.
According to him, government owes the pensioners about 10 months of unpaid arrears.
Reacting, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, the state Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, said the delay was due to the dwindling revenue from the federal allocation.
The commissioner, however, said that the administration was making frantic efforts to straighten the process of paying the arrears.
According to Bolorunduro, the State Government believes that the pensioners have the freedom to express themselves.
He said the monthly pension payment had increased from N250 million to N600 million since the present administration assumed office.
He, however, appealed to the protesters to exercise some patience while the state government sorted out issues, assuring them that they would eventually get paid.
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