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From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Retired primary school teachers in Delta State on Monday shut down parts of Asaba in protest over the non-payment of their pensions in the past eight years.
Clad in black attire and armed with placards of various inscriptions, the protesting senior citizens blocked the Asaba-Ugbolu road at the Government House gate.
Vehicular movement on the road came to a halt from about 11am as they sat on the tarred road waiting for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to address them and match words with action.
Commissioner of Finance, Fidelis Tilije who attempted to placate them, was dismissed by the retirees who insisted on seeing the governor.
One of the retirees, Ismaila Isitua, who spoke with our correspondent dismissed the state government’s claims that their pension obligation was the responsibility of local government councils, saying that they were employed in the 1980s by the state government.
Isitua said there was no autonomy at the third tier of government while they were in service, insisting that their pension contributions went into the state account.
He said the N2.5 billion which the state government recently released for the payment of local government retirees could only cover just August, 2015.
Also speaking, Eni Joseph and Paul John urged Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to borrow money to offset pension arrears of retirees.
“They should pay the retirees who retired over the years. The governor has been giving us fake promises, we need action.
“Our people are dying, some are in the hospital and can’t pay for treatment. Is it now a crime to be a teacher and labour in serving your state for 35 yeas?
“Rather than have a hand shake after 35 year of commitment and diligent service, government is dismissing us with ignominy,” Mr. John fumed.
While Lori Patrick claimed that 68 retirees have so far died in Warri South Local Government Area, his counterpart in Aniocha South, Nduka Simon said 24 retirees died in his locality, waiting for their retirement benefits.
The protesters who chanted anti-Okowa songs, vowed to stage another protest on November 30 with coffins at the Government House gate if the governor failed to accede to their demands.
