By Joseph Etta
Pensioners in Cross River State who retired 5 years ago are yet to collect their gratuity entitlements from the State Government.
Daybreak learnt from a highly dependable source that Governor Ben Ayade has not paid gratuity to retired Civil Servants since he came to office 5 years ago.
Our source explained that during Donald Duke administration, pension scheme was well structured, the system was put in place, well organized and computerized. Then every pensioner gets his cheque at hand the day he is retiring, he takes his gratuity home as he is leaving office for the last time, He said.
When Liyel Imoke came to office, he continued in that trend by paying half of the gratuity and stopped, until he left the office.
Since Ben Ayade came into office in his first tenure in 2014, gratuity is hardly paid, even the pensioners monthly stipends are not regular.
A pensioner, Moses Ikpi, disclosed to Daybreak that since his retirement 5 years ago, he is yet to collect his gratuity. Some of my colleagues have died and leave the money they sweated for 35 years, can you imagine that, he added.
Ikpi, a retired permanent secretary in the state civil service who retired after 35 years of meritorious service stated, yet the Governor is comfortable with not paying people who had worked faithfully and served dutifully for 35 solid years in the state civil service. Noting “how does he feel about that”, Digital Governor indeed.
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