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By Aboje Anefu, Makurdi
NO fewer than 3000 pensioners on Thursday trooped to Makurdi the Benue State capital to protest nonpayment of their pensions and gratuities by the state government for many months.
The pensioners who staged a walk through majors streets of the metropolis bore placards bearing different inscriptions such as “Pay us our 17 months pensions,” “We cannot die in silence”, “We are dying of hunger,” “No payment, no vote,” “God must hear our prayers,” “We are not dead woods,” among others.
Chairman of the Concerned Pensioners, Benue State Chapter, Mr. Peter Ikyado who spoke with newsmen said they were protesting the nonpayment of gratuities to their members as well non harmonization of their pension allowances by the state government.
Ikyado alleged that the state pensioners were owed 16 months while the local government pensioners are owed between 15 to 74 months pension arreers.
He said the protest which is going to be carried out in all parts of the state will continue indefinitely until their demands are met by the state government.
On his part, a pensioner and Chairman, Publicity Committee, Simon Onah lamented what he described as unwillingness on the part of government to attend to their case stating that government should have at least demonstrated the willingness to pay arrears owed pensioners.
“Other workers were paid October, November and December salaries but again, pensioners were left out as usual. This is a deliberate negligence on the part of government.
“It is sad to note that this non payment of pensions has sent some of our members to their early graves. It’s a pity that we also go to the same market with other workers in the state. Many of us are owing our customers to the point that they are now refusing to give us anything on credit unless we pay what we owe them,” Onah lamented.
The visibly angry pensioners walked from the popular NYSC Junction through Railway Market Road and ended up at the Low Level Roundabout.
It was gathered that the pensioners did not conclude their protest at the government house as was the usual case in the past because they resolved that this time around, they wanted action and not just political talks.
