38 months arears; Two Abia pensioners die, others protest

Pensioners in Abia State, once again, took to the streets urging the Federal Government to prevail on the state government to save their lives.

Led by their coordinator, Chukwuemeka Okezie, the pensioners who were in all-black attire, weeping and singing retributive songs, marched round the capital city to show their anger.

Addressing newsmen, Okezie disclosed that Monday, June 19, two of their members died “out of starvation by not being able to buy drugs”, adding that recently, “the state started paying over three months, but half pension.”

He said since 2014, “total number of unpaid monthly pension is 38 months, non-harmonisation of pensions from 1998 to 2010, and unpaid accumulated gratuities for 20 years.”

Okezie added, “Who is the Moses that will advise Abia State Government to lead us out of Egypt?”

They pleaded with the Federal Government to intervene by prevailing on the state government to pay them before they die.

PUNCH