A faction of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Osun State, the Triangular Group, has decried the recent protest embarked upon by some of their colleagues in the state over their unpaid entitlements by the state government.
Instead of embarking on “needless and unwarranted demonstration,” the group asked their colleagues of the Osun State Contributory Pension Retirees, to dialogue with government on their demands.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Thursday, the state Chairman, Triangular Group of Pensioners, Prince Rotimi Adelugba, said Governor Gboyega Oyetola had been up and doing in the payment of entitlements of pensioners in the state.
The state Contributory Pension Retirees had taken their protest to the palace of the Ooni of Ife over unpaid pensions and modulated salary arrears owed them while in service, seeking the intervention of Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
But the triangular group condemned the protest, saying their colleagues should have entered into a dialogue with the government instead of embarking on “unwarranted demonstrations.”
The group said, “It is needless of my members to embark on public demonstration on payment of full monthly pensions, which has been addressed. Since Mr. Governor’s inauguration, payment of arrears or half pension payments, which he has promised to pay, has been at the centre of his mind and the gradual payment of gratuity, which will be improved upon when the finances of the state are improved.
“In fact, we the Triangular Group of Pensioners who are bonafide members of The Nigeria Union of Pensioners did not believe that Mr. Governor would be able to pay pensioners and salaries fully bearing in mind the meagre amount available to the state in terms of IGR and the monthly federal allocation.
“Also, we are greatly concerned about the effect of COVID-19 during which all government in the world had suffered greatly in terms of battered economy. We thank Mr. Governor for his efforts so far and we strongly believe in his promises that half payment of salaries and pensions has gone in the state of Osun by God’s grace.
“We need to thank Mr Governor for the gradual release of funds for payment of gratuities within the available resources. He has promised to continually release fund and when the resources of the state improves, he will make sure that all aspects of the retirement benefits are ranched, including these retirees that are retiring under contributory Pension Scheme in the state.
“Despite the payment of over N44billion naira as debt repayment, Mr. Governor is still assuring the pensioners and workers better days ahead. If not because of the emergence of Covid-19, he must have considered some of our request more than expected.”
The group advised senior citizens in the state, from 50 years and above to take care of their health, noting that Covid-19 is real.
Adelugba disclosed that the triangular group had produced enough sanitizers and nose covers for members of pensioners in the state.
