Retirees of the Edo State Civil Service came together under the umbrella body of the Nigeria union of pensioners on Friday to hold a special prayer session over unpaid benefits owed them by the Edo State Government.
The arrears is between 10 months and 42 months.
The interdenominational service, held at the Rt. (Rev) Dr. S. I. Usunaele Hall at Emokpae Primary School premises in Benin City, attracted Christians, Muslims and pagan worshippers united for a single course that their arrears be paid.
Comrade Pullen Noruwa, the Chairman of NUP, Edo State Council, disclosed that the gathering was aimed at seeking divine intervention following excruciating pains being experienced by pensioners in the state.
Noruwa said: “Inspite of the constrains and challenges the pensioners face in the struggle to ensure payment of their pension benefits, we should pray to the Almighty God to touch the heart of those in authority to facilitate the payment of our
outstanding pension benefits.”
Noruwa explained that some of the problems faced by the pensioners include the refusal of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led government in the State to pay their 6 per cent and 15 per cent pension increases.
He said: “The non payment of all outstanding arrears of pensions; the non harmonization of pensioners pension; non payment of outstanding monthly pension of local government pensioners in the state, including, the non payment of 33 per cent pension increase.”
The pensioners, who collectively threatened to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming coming governorship election if these issues are not addressed, demanded expedited action on placement of the retired pensioners on payroll.
Noruwa also called for payment of all outstanding gratuities to the pensioners in the state and payment of three months salary in lieu of notice to the officers compulsorily retired in 1996 and 2000
On his part, Elder G.O. Osemwenkhai, on behalf of all concerned pensioners/retirees of Edo State, added: “We hereby use this medium to appeal to our royal fathers, politicians, elder statesmen, mothers, the clergy and all well-meaning citizens of Edo State to prevail on the State Government to pay arrears of pension entitlements to over
1,000 deprived pensioners.”
Osemwenkhai maintained that for the avoidance of doubt, the State Government has delayed the payment of arrears of pension ranging from 10 to 42 months as a result of which pensioners have been groaning in penury and pains.
He disclosed that pensioners will on Monday embark on a mass protest will take place across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The interdenominational prayer session was attended by Sheikh Amedu Oyakhire, Alhaji Shehu Dododawa, Alhaji Bako Yusuf and Bishop (Dr.) Frank Ojehunme of the Light of God Chapel.
They rendered sermons and prayers for prompt payment of the pensioners’ arrears.
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