Oyo pensioners protest non-payment of entitlements

Pensioners in Oyo State yesterday marched to the governor’s office in protest against the non-payment of their pension arrears.

The pensioners who were led by Mr. Gbade Akande , said the state government owed those who left civil service six months pensions while that of primary school teachers are between eight to 25 months.

The aggrieved protesters subsequently demanded the immediate payment of February to June, 20l5 pensions.

Besides, they asked for the payment of eight to 25 monthly pensions to retired primary school teachers, an increase of fund to the Ministry of Establishment to pay gratuity and payment of gratuity to the retired teachers.

Others are immediate implementation of six per cent and l5 percent increase for retired local government staff, payment of arrears of six per cent and l5 per cent pension increment and immediate reinstatement of pensioners whose names were unjustifiably removed.

The protesters who said with the current economic reality and indebtedness of the state government, the state might find it difficult to meet the financial obligations appealed to the Federal Government to come to their rescue.

While receiving the protesting pensioners on behalf of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the Deputy Governor, Moses Alake Adeyemo thanked the pensioners for their patience.

He called for more understanding, saying the situation is not peculiar to the state alone.

He stated that Ajimobi together with other governors were in Abuja holding meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari with a view to rescuing states from financial woods.