Pensioners in Rivers State on Wednesday carried out a peaceful protest over the non-payment of their gratuities and ten years pension arrears.
Wielding placards with different inscriptions, the retirees said they have faced untold hardship from 2012 till date.
The angry protesters said since 2012, over 300 of their members have lost their lives due to the government’s non-compliance with its side of the tripartite agreement reached.
They argued that every effort to make the government pay fell on deaf ears even as complaints lodged at different quarters proved futile.
One of the protesters, Mr. U D Moses, vowed that the protest will continue until Governor Nyesom Wike fulfill their demands.
He said, “I retired in 2015 and from that time till now, I have not been paid my gratuity and I am owed 3 years pension arrears.
“Some of us are owed 7 years. We have suffered for the state. Is it a crime to give in 35 years of our lives to this state?
“We have made effort through different means to reach out to the Governor but to no avail. We even met with some elder-states men to help us appeal to him but the Governor paid deaf ears.
“We will continue this protest until he pays us. He set up a tripartite committee, and until now we have not heard anything from him. We have lost over 300 pensioners from 2012 till date.”
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Friday Eboka, appealed to the protesters to shatch their swords while he communicate to the governor.
He said, “We have articulated all your grievances and I am aware that some of you retired since 2012 until now you have not gotten your gratuities.
” I have listened to you and I want to assure you that I will pick it up from this place because very soon I will retire and if I do not take care of you, you will not take of me.
” I will carry your grievance all you have articulated and pass it on to the governor to look into your plight.
The spokesperson for the pensioners, Lucky Ati, gave the state government two weeks to expedite action or would resume the protest.
He said that the Commissioner of Police has promised to take their matter to the Governor and added that they will resume the protest the state government idid not comply with their demand. Daily Trust.
Pensioners in Rivers State on Wednesday carried out a peaceful protest over the non-payment of their gratuities and ten years pension arrears. Wielding placards…
Pensioners in Rivers State on Wednesday carried out a peaceful protest over the non-payment of their gratuities and ten years pension arrears.
Wielding placards with different inscriptions, the retirees said they have faced untold hardship from 2012 till date.
The angry protesters said since 2012, over 300 of their members have lost their lives due to the government’s non-compliance with its side of the tripartite agreement reached.
They argued that every effort to make the government pay fell on deaf ears even as complaints lodged at different quarters proved futile.
One of the protesters, Mr. U D Moses, vowed that the protest will continue until Governor Nyesom Wike fulfill their demands.
He said, “I retired in 2015 and from that time till now, I have not been paid my gratuity and I am owed 3 years pension arrears.
“Some of us are owed 7 years. We have suffered for the state. Is it a crime to give in 35 years of our lives to this state?
“We have made effort through different means to reach out to the Governor but to no avail. We even met with some elder-states men to help us appeal to him but the Governor paid deaf ears.
“We will continue this protest until he pays us. He set up a tripartite committee, and until now we have not heard anything from him. We have lost over 300 pensioners from 2012 till date.”
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Friday Eboka, appealed to the protesters to shatch their swords while he communicate to the governor.
He said, “We have articulated all your grievances and I am aware that some of you retired since 2012 until now you have not gotten your gratuities.
” I have listened to you and I want to assure you that I will pick it up from this place because very soon I will retire and if I do not take care of you, you will not take of me.
” I will carry your grievance all you have articulated and pass it on to the governor to look into your plight.
The spokesperson for the pensioners, Lucky Ati, gave the state government two weeks to expedite action or would resume the protest.
He said that the Commissioner of Police has promised to take their matter to the Governor and added that they will resume the protest the state government idid not comply with their demand. Daily Trust.