Pensioners Protest As Akala Signs Bubget In To Law

Thousands of pensioners in Oyo State today protested at the governor’s office, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State over the none payment of the arrears of the  various allowances owed them as Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala signed the 2011 appropriation bill of N148.7billion into law.

The pensioners  who were prevented from gaining access into the governor’s office by  security operatives chanted ‘Akala ole, Akala Ole, Akala’ to the chagrin of the armed policemen deployed to bring the situation under control.

The security operatives had a hectic time  controlling them.  The pensioners continued their protest for hours.

The pensioners in a petition signed by Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, tagged, “Enough of this grand deception”, berated Akala for his refusal to pay the arrears of 142 percent owed them.

According to them, the state government on 30 April 2010 through the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Chief Olayiwola Olakojo and the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Bayo Bankole, promised that the payment of the arrears would commence in December 2010 but up till now, it has not been paid.

Describing the promises of Governor Akala as barefaced lies meant to deceive Oyo State pensioners, they said that Akala is not a man of God as he claimed, stressing that he had failed to rule the state with the fear of God.

According to them, “Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of Osun State has set in motion the process to pay 142 percent arrears to Osun pensioners. Remember that in the whole of the 36 states of the federation, it was Oyo and Osun States that had not paid the arrears of 142 percent pension increase before the fall of the evil government of Oyinlola”.

Continuing, they said: “It is disheartening that Oyo State Government could not pay the arrears of 142 percent to pensioners but it had money for obscene frivolities. This government is not labour friendly. It is not a friend of the teachers, medical personnel, judicial staff, pensioners and civil servants.”

They concluded, “If a governor could be this hostile to labour during his first term in office, what would be their fate and that of the entire citizens of Oyo State if a second term is secured? Your guess is as good as ours.”

Meanwhile, speaking at the signing ceremony of the budget, Akala promised that the  2011 budget would be fully implemented, stressing that money would be sought  from all quarters to ensure that the state has enough money to implement the budget.

He also assured that internally generated revenue (IGR) would be increased this year so that government could have money to do whatever it wants to do, pointing out that it is bad for Nigeria to rely only on money that comes from oil.

The Oyo State Speaker,  Moroof Atilola also disclosed that the government of Akala has a very good rapport with the legislature because it made money available as at when due.

Noting that the signing marked the last budget the government of the day would sign, he prayed that God should bring back the government of Akala to the state so that they can continue the good work they have started.

—Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan