Protesting Benue State pensioners on Sunday held a prayer session at the Government House’s gate, Markurdi, over unpaid N25bn pension arrears and gratuities.

A Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria who monitored the prayer session organised by Concerned Pensioners, reports that the senior citizens had, since September 4, been sleeping under rain and sunshine at the gate to drive home their demand.

NAN reports that the pensioners are demanding payment of over 20 months’ pension arrears and gratuity, amounting to N25bn owed them by the state government.

Reading from the Bible in the book of 1st Kings, chapter 12, verses 3 to 10, while preaching a sermon, Pastor John Awaodi urged the pensioners not to give up hope.

He said that God was with them since they were demanding their legitimate income.

Addressing the pensioners at the prayer session, their Leader, Mr. Peter Ikyado, said they were not tired and would continue to sleep at the gate until paid.

Ikyado urged them to be steadfast and pray fervently.

He earlier told newsmen that over 500 pensioners in the state had died due to lack of food and proper medication.

“We are senior citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Our motto says, ‘Enjoyment After Retirement,’ but in this case, it is suffering after retirement,” he said.

Gov. Samuel Ortom had, while addressing the pensioners on Friday, said that his administration would have to seek an overdraft of N611m to be able to complete the shortfalls from the April 2018 and May 2018 unpaid pension arrears.

He gave the assurance that the money would be paid by September 10.

Ortom said that his administration inherited unpaid pension arrears of over N34bn, with outstanding gratuities of over N17bn.

He said that although his administration was able to make significant efforts in the payment of the arrears of pensions and gratuities, the government was still owing over N20bn.

He said that his administration also moved a step further by signing into law the PENCOM Bill and constituted the state Pensions Commission in an effort to find lasting solutions to the non-payment of pension and gratuities.

Ortom apologised to the senior citizens for the inability of the government to pay their entitlement as and when due.

The governor said that the government was working to get a N40bn bond to address some of the challenges facing the state.

NAN reports that the pensioners have, however, refused to move away from the government house in spite of the governor’s promises.

https://punchng.com/benue-pensioners-hold-church-service-at-government-house-gate-vow-to-stay-until-paid/

Chai

Useless government!

Ortom, is this because of Fulani herdsmen?

Ortom said he inherited 25 month arrears, meanwhile the former governor said he only owed 6 month arrears. Can you beleive that Ortom used to come and preach to us in the university back in the days before he became governor.

A governor that made political fortune from the unfortunate killing of his people by displaying their cops to the whole world.


There was no other way he could have been reelected after such a miserable first term!

In Mama P's voice,

There is God oooooooo









#MySignature
#MyBusiness

Hmmmm. Hustle o

Most states are insolvent and should be merged to save them from total collapse.

Make Orton too pay them there salary now..which kind wicked governor him

Oh my nation my nation, by 2023, this same people I see sitting there, would still choose a bag of rice over a credible candidate... Abi is it not Nigerians again

I wholeheartedly support these pensioners. Other pensioners should adopt this same approach.

Una never see anything, shebi na una vote am again. Ortom don tell una say him no dey owe anybody say make una go meet Governor Buhari

Meanwhile, if you lost your online Print-out slip for Nigerian Customs Service, Prisons Service, Fire Service, etc.
or
If you need Primary School certificate, Age declaration, State of Origin, Medical certificate, or Medical Report for relocating Corps Members...
Check this thread
https://www.nairaland.com/5393395/important-documents-get-here#81867573

THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COLLECT THINGS IN THIS DEMMOCRAzY IF NOT, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN

NYESOM WIKE of Rivers state have not paid gratuity since he came into office as the Governor of Rivers State and he haven't even started paying some Pensioners who have completed their verification process.

OK ooo, I hope it is not because of APC again?
When someone told me orthom knew about the so called Fulani killings in his state, I questioned the person's sanity, however the way the killing disappeared after his re-election made me think twice.

The next round of fulani killings in benue state will be towards the end of his tenure so that he can see some to campaign since their is no infrastructure to point to.

The level of neglect and abadonment meted out by some state governments to their present and retired civil servants is one of the many reasons the civil service is a no no for me

Too bad. How can you deduct pension from peoples earnings for years and refuse to pay them after retirement most likely due to embezzlement.

Ortom can't pinpoint to anything as his achievement throughout his four years as governor of Benue state

JohnFrankling:
NYESOM WIKE of Rivers state have not paid gratuity since he came into office as the Governor of Rivers State and he haven't even started paying some Pensioners who have completed their verification process.

Rivers is a Christian state. In Christianity when slapped on the left cheek offer the right on good faith.

Rivers workers should be Christlike

Tersorio:
Ortom can't pinpoint to anything as his achievement throughout his four years as governor of Benue state

What about defeating the fulani herdsmen?

Our leaders are just wicked

Is it because APC members are taking money from you, that was your reason for non performance hitherto, you are not a good leader like some of your PDP governors in the other states, share the money is what you people know, shame on you

No this is the worst.Naija politicians.dem get heart o to allow these senior citizens suffer like this

OK

Drastic situation demands drastic measure