OSUN State Triangular Group of Pensioners has condemned protests by the 2011-2012 faction of retirees over alleged unpaid 15-month pension.
The group, at a news conference on Thursdays in Osogbo by its chairman, Prince Rotimi Adelugba, described as untrue the claim by the protesters that the state government had received and diverted the Paris Club Refund.
In what appeared like a confirmation of the government’s response that the protest was politically motivated, the group debunked the claim by the protesters that the pensioner’s salaries were not being paid as and when due.
Adelugba added that not all the pensioners were being owed 15 months pension arrears.
According to him: “We are constrained to react to the action by the 2011-2012 set of pensioners, who took to the streets yesterday and today to protest nonpayment of arrears of 15 months pension. The group claimed that the government had received and diverted the Paris Club Refund.
“As concerned pensioners, we are constrained to state that our colleagues’ allegations are far from the truth.
“Since the current administration assumed office over six months ago, it has ensured full payment of our monthly pension and wages to all levels as and when due in line with its promise, and subject to release of allocations from the Federal Government as it is public knowledge that the state government is making efforts to improve its internally generated revenue base.
“As we are all aware, not all of us pensioners are being owed the 15 months pension arrears. Our findings reveal that the government has not received any Paris Club Refund as claimed by our colleagues. We are also not aware that other states have been paid the Paris Club Refund.”
The group added that some of the protesting colleagues had recently collected their bonds while a significant number of them are set to collect theirs, even as it lauded Oyetola for keeping to his campaign promise that his administration would be committed to improving the welfares of all workers and pensioners in the state.
“ “Government’s ability to keep its promise to fully pay pensioners’ arrears and gratuity as promised is enough reason for us to believe them that they will pay our pension arrears when the funds are available.
“In view of the above, we appeal to our colleagues to understand and appreciate the constraints and efforts of government and to maintain the peace as the government works hard to take care of our needs and welfare,” Adelugba stated.
The government has also reiterated its commitment to improving the welfare of all workers and pensioners in the State.
Addressing the protesting retirees yesterday at the state government secretariat, Oyetola said his administration remained committed to the general well-being of all categories of workers and retirees.
Oyetola, who was represented by Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, said: “Osun State is not operating in isolation and if such intervention fund would be released by the Federal Government to the state, it would not be disbursed in secret. We are running a transparent government. Our administration has never failed in performing its statutory obligations to meet the needs of its workforce.”
Oyetola declared his government’s commitment to the welfare and the general well-being of active and passive workers
He described as falsehood, the claims that the state had received another tranche of Parish Club Refund from the Federal Government.
He said the state under his watch had taken to the front burner the welfare and security of lives and property of the citizenry.
On Tuesday, a section of retired civil servants took to the streets in Osogbo over unpaid arrears of pension.
Nation
