Edo pensioners organised special prayer session

Retirees from the Edo state civil service, came together under the umbrella body of Nigeria union of pensioners (N.U.P) yesterday held a special prayer session over unpaid salary arrears owned them by the Edo state government spanning 10 to 42 months.

The interdenominational service held at the Rt. (Rev). Dr. S. I. Usunaele hall at Emokpae primary school premises in Benin City attracted Christians, Muslims and pagan worshippers united for a single course that their arrears be paid.

Comrade Pullen Noruwa, chairman of N.U.P, Edo state council disclosed that the gathering was aim at seeking divine intervention following excruciating pains experience by the pensioners in the state.

Comrade Noruwa said that: "inspite of the constrains and challenges the pensioners face in the struggle to ensure payment of their pension benefits, we should pray to the Almighty God to touch the heart of those in authority to facilitate the payment of our outstanding pension benefits."

Noruwa explained that some of the problems face by pensioner is alleged refusal by the comrade Adams Oshiomhole led government in the non payment of 6% and 15% pension increases to state pensioners.

"The non payment of all outstanding arrears of pensions; the non harmonization of pensioners pension; non payment of outstanding monthly pension of local government pensioners in the state"

including, the non payment of 33% pension increase.

The pensioners who collectively threatened to vote out the ruling all progressives congress (A.P.C) in the forthcoming coming governorship election if these issues are not addressed, demand expedite action on placement of the retired pensioners on payroll.

Noruwa also called for payment of all outstanding gratuities to the pensioners in the state and payment of three months salary in lieu of notice to the officers compulsorily retired in the years 1996 and 2000

On his part, Elder G.O Osemwenkhai on behalf of all concerned pensioners/retirees, Edo state added that: "we hereby use this medium to appeal to our royal Fathers, Politicians, Elder Statesmen, Mothers, the Clergy and All Well-Meaning Citizens of Edo State to prevail on the State Government to pay arrears of pension entitlements to over one thousand deprived pensioners."

Osemwenkhai maintain that for the avoidance of doubt, the State Government has delayed the payment of arrears of pension ranging from

10 to 42 months as a result of which pensioners have been groaning in penury and pains.

He disclosed that pensioners in the state will on Monday embark on a mass protest will take place across the three senatorial district of the state.

The interdenominational prayer session was attended by Sheikh Amedu Oyakhire, Alh. Shehu Dododawa, Alh. Bako Yusuf and Bishop (Dr.) Frank Ojehunme (JP) of light of God chapel, Holy Spirit manifestation ministries rendered sermons and prayers for prompt payment the pensioners arrears in Edo state.

- MyNews24