Pensioners in Edo State who are owed pension arrears and gratuities for several months have called on the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to fulfill his promise of payment of their entitlements so that their joy would be full.
The Pensioners made the call on Wednesday at an Interdenominational Prayer Service held at Teachers House, Siluko Road in Benin City to thank God for sustaining their lives and pray for the repose of their departed colleagues.
The Co-ordinator of the group, Barr Gabriel Osemwenkha, said Governor Obaseki has made a rhetorical, but re-assuring pronouncement to pay all outstanding arrears of Pension and Gratuities owed to Pensioners and expressed hope of actualization of the pledge.
“I believe being a true son of Benin kingdom; he would not fail his promise”.
He reminded the State Chief Executive that the State used to be in the forefront of all endeavors among community of states in Nigeria but wondered why Edo Choose to lag behind other states in utilizing provided fund to offset outstanding debts.
Osemwenkha lamented that some pensioners have died as a result of lack of money to cater for their welfare and family upkeep, this according to him, was worrisome to hear people make contrary claim suggesting that Edo State Government has settled pensioners, noting that such ploy portrayed ignorance or deliberate attempt to misinform the public.
He said pensioners decided to pray to God, to intercede on their behalf in view of the alleged government insensitivity to their plight.
In a Good-will message, Edo State Chapter Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr. Pullen, Noruwa, represented by the Union’s Public Relations Officer “Comrade Vincent O. Aigbodioni’ prayed for the fruitfulness of their heart desires. ‘.-
In his sermon during the prayer service, Pastor Liberty James of Grace Land the Full Gospel Ministry, Benin City, who spoke on the Theme “A Labourer deserves his due wage at the end of pay”, harped on the need for government to accord recognition to Pensioners as deserved Senior Citizens in Edo State
He said the Pensioners have gone through challenging processes, training and service carriers, thereby were best suited to become consultants in their various specialties
Pastor Liberty James said Pensioners constitute Elders league, thereby must be exalted and honoured.
In a Talk delivered by Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Aghedo, Provincial Co-ordinator, JDPC Benin Province, represented on his behalf by Rev. Sister Calista Anyanwu (SSH), dwelt on Pension as an accrued right of the employee on retirement, Pension Welfare vis-a-vis constitutional provision enjoining states to provide pension for all citizens. It states:
“The state shall within the context at the idea and objective for which provisions are made in this constitution that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions and unemployment sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens”.
Rev. Father Arhedo observed with regret that Government at all levels in Nigeria has failed to meet the constitutional objective. He described Political manipulation of Pensioners welfare as an aberration which should not be tolerated. He said “it is about time that the Government of Edo State stop the rhetoric and unfulfilled promises, rather, she should be more proactive to eradicate the suffering of pensioners, in the state. He said the problem of Non-harmonization of pension scheme and closure of the pension board during past administrative government of Edo State further increased the suffering of Pensioners. Continuing, Rev. Father Arhedo noted that the insensitivity of past Administration of Edo State reflected by failure in her responsibility to Elder Statesmen and women warranted distrust of the unbent administration.
Furthermore, he said the past Administration made a lot of unfulfilled promises demonstrated in non-payment of pensions and salaries of local government workers which sent some pensioners to their early grave. He thereby advised His Excellency, Comrade Godwin Obaseki not to follow the footstep of his predecessor.
On a parting note, he advised the Governor of Edo State to consider investment in building human development along side infrastructural development both of which he noted promotes socio economic transformation where everyone enjoy fullness of life. He stressed that giving attention to infrastructural development alone to the detriment of Human development is anachronistic.
He appealed to all and sundry to join their voice to that of Pensioners to demand for their right when there seem to be neglect by Government in her primary duty to protect rights of Pensioners and other citizens.
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