A group, Benue Renaissance Network (BRN) has said it may be compel to impress on the Presidency, National Assembly and the Governors’ Forum to intervene in the prolonged non payment of pensions to Benue State government retirees if the governor, Samuel Ortom fails to clear the arrears within 14 days.
The group in a statement entitled, ‘the plight of pensioners in Benue State: the need for the president and national assembly to intervene’ and signed by its convener, Detimbir Aondoaver hinted that it shall stage a protest in the Presidency and the National Assembly to register their displeasure over the pitiable plight of the pensioners.
While explaining that the retirees were owed 17, 25 and 48 months respectively regretted that the hardship created by the non payment of pensions had resulted to more deaths in the state than the COVID-!9 and other known ailments put together, the group it could no longer keep mute and allow the old people to die in silence.
“It is on record that the Benue state government owns pensioners several months of unpaid pensions. Some are owed 17 to 25 months, while others at the Local Government Councils are owed 48 months.
“We are tired of watching our parents die because of the inability of Governor Samuel Ortom to pay them their legitimate pensions. We therefore give the state government fourteen (14) days to clear all pension arrears accrued to pensioners in the state of face series of protests at the Aso Villa and National Assembly in Abuja. Make no mistakes, no one will blackmail this group or stop us from embarking on these protests.
“While we sustain our protests on the streets of Abuja, we will submit strong worded letters of protest over this to the leadership of the National Assembly and to the Governors’ Forum.
“Recall that the pensioners last year slept at the gates of the Government House for two weeks under the scorching sun in the midst of dangerous reptiles to press home their plight just to get empty promises from the governor which have not amounted to anything. While at the gate to register their anger, thugs believed to be loyal to Governor Samuel Ortom stormed the venue and beat them up”, the group alleged.
