Aggrieved Edo retirees allege crackdown by govt

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Aggrieved retirees in Edo State have accused the Edo State Government of attempting to brand them as fake, over protest of their unpaid gratuities and pension arrears ranging from five to 42 months.

They further alleged that the government’s statement on their series of protest is a “prelude to the eventual crackdown” on their agitation.

Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government had in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, described agitation by the retirees as fake, sponsored and stage-managed.

The government also also alleged that genuine pensioners were satisfied with the governor’s efforts to ensure that every retirees on the State’s payroll was paid as at when due at the end of every month.

However, the aggrieved pensioners in a statement signed by their Coordinator, Amadin Edobo Okoro, expressed surprise by the government’s statement.

“We are not surprised at the government next line of action against the helpless and already maligned Edo Pensioners. The government’s​ statement, at best, could be viewed as invalid because it originated from inappropriate source.

“He (Crusoe) is not authorized spokesperson to speak on pension matters. Little wonder he failed to address the crux of the vexed issues in contention. At this point, pensioners hereby restate call for the disbursement of funds from the Paris Club loan refund and received by Obaseki on behalf of pension beneficiaries,” he said.