Osun pensioners protest over gratuity, pension arrears

Pensioners in Osun State  on Wednesday protested arrears of gratuity and pension  and called on the state governor, Rauf Aregbesoa to them take care of their financial needs. The Chairman of the group of the retirees, Ilesanmi Omoniyi, who led the protest, said the pensioners were suffering and dying as a result of the nonpayment […]

Pensioners in Osun State  on Wednesday protested arrears of gratuity and pension  and called on the state governor, Rauf Aregbesoa to them take care of their financial needs.

The Chairman of the group of the retirees, Ilesanmi Omoniyi, who led the protest, said the pensioners were suffering and dying as a result of the nonpayment of the arrears of their pension and gratuity. 

Omoniyi said, "Pensioners  in Osun were yet to be paid their gratuity from 2008-2012, in spite of the Federal Government intervention through the release of over N83.9 billion for the payment of the backlog of gratuities and areas."

He accused the state governor of diverting the fund  to other projects. He lamented that over 2,000 pensioners have died in the state as a result of non payments of gratuities and pension areas.

"Many of our colleagues over 2000 have lost their lives due to the hardship which they were unable to withstand", he said.

He said several letters of appeal had been written to the Governor and other government officials but yet to see any positive answer.