Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
Over one thousand pensioners in Osun State yesterday shut down the state government secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital, to protest against the non-payment of their entitlements.
The protesters were drawn from retirees of primary and secondary school teachers, who were owed by previous administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
The aggrieved pensioners stormed the state government secretariat at Abere, holding placards that displayed their agitations.
Some of the placards with the inscriptions that addressed the state Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, read: “Gov. Oyetola, Stop this lying and fake promises’. Pay us our money’. ‘We are dying of hunger’. ‘Masses help us we are dying’. ‘Dead people cannot enjoy infrastructure,” among others.
When THISDAY monitored the protests, it gathered that they accused the governor of receiving billions of naira, but still defaulted in payment of pensions of retirees.
While speaking, one of the protesters, Adebayo Michael, said Oyetola has refused to give them their gratuity/pensions and 29 months half salary arrears since 2016 till date.
He further explained that though the state government had gone on air to announce the release of millions of naira to pensioners, saying to their own amazement, the claims by the state government is very far from the truth.
Michael hinted that they would continue to protest until their plights are considered.
According to him, “We would continue to protest until the state government respond to our demand. We worked and contributed so we can have our contributory pension to be useful for us.
“Nobody or party is bankrolling us against the government, we are only concerned about our money. Hunger forced us to the street to embark on protest.
“We have people in Ibadan, Lagos and many other places who can help us but they always hear the news that the state government have released money for us, and by that, they always hold back, meanwhile there is no money. The state Head of Service announcement that the government was releasing money for is false. We are also coming here on 29 this month.”
Echoing similar views, another protester, Mrs. Salami Bamidele, said: “From the way you talk, I can see that you (probably referring to government officer) don’t have regard for us. If you truly prioritise us and know that we are hungry since last year December, and that we have been protesting, you should have improved.
“You are claiming that you have paid our money but it is a lie. You are releasing N708 million monthly, but what get to us who are under contributory pensioner is very small, it is very small compare to our population. We met the governor in July 2021 because the money is not enough and he promised us that he will improve on it. We did not see any difference as the government continued to give us N150 million in March and April which is not even every month.”
Addressing the pensioners, the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi, appealed to the protesters to exercise patience, saying the government is working tirelessly to ensure that they all get their pension.
Alabi said: “We are ensuring that we are paying full salary promptly. The truth will always be true and false will be false. We cannot pay this money in question at once.
“You are very important to us and we are handling your matter as a priority. We don’t like the way you are under the scorching sun, it is not good enough for all of us.
“To sort out the issue of pensioners, your leadership picked November 29, 2021, to meet with the government.
“I am sure that as the deputy governor of this state, the outcome of the meeting will serve your interest as we will add to the money they release on monthly basis. Governor Oyetola will always fulfil his promise. Let us be patient till the end of the meeting.”
Meanwhile, the state government had in a statement issued by the Head of Service, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, announced the release of the sum of N708,000,000 to pay the pensions of retirees in the state.
Oyabade, who disclosed this in a statement issued last Monday, restated the Oyetola-led administration commitment to the people’s welfare, saying effort had been mustered to give workers the pride of place they deserve.
