Ogun state government, Pensioners agree to dialogue over 10-year unpaid gratuities

The Ogun State Government and Local Government Pensioners on Wednesday agreed to hold stakeholders meeting to address the grievances of the pensioners who alleged the government of non- payment of  their gratuities since 2011.

Penpushing reports that, the pensioners in their hundreds embarked on protest locking the gate leading to the governor’s office and preventing passage of civil servants to their offices, as well as  causing  traffic jam within the vicinity, in protest of what they described as inhuman treatment.

The Secretary to the Government, Tokunbo Talabi led three commissioners which include: Afolabi Afuape(Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy), Waheed Odusile(Information and Strategy),Taiwo Oludotun(Rural Development)  as well as  Kunle Somorin(Chief Press Secretary to the Governor)  to address the protesters.

Penpushing further reports that, the pensioners demanded for the harmonization of the pensions, regular payment of pension as at when due, that the ministry should hand-off the payment of their pension and gratuities to Bureau of Local Government pension.

The aged led by their chairman, Chief Ayilara  explained that they embarked on another round of protest as a follow up to earlier  two hours fruitless meeting with Secretary to State Government, Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs some months ago

‘We granted interview to many radio stations, and even called two press conferences. We have informed the four traditional rulers in the state without result. We had six meetings with SSG, Chief of Staff, Head of Service, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, among notable government officials’, the recalled.

Penpushing also reports that, the pensioners called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to find time to honour them as his grandfathers and grandmothers, hence need for them to direct his attention to their plights, by  meeting them as a way to find lasting solution to the inhuman treatment

The pensioners lamented that, it is ridiculous that some of them still get N5, 000 as pension, adding that even retirees of 1990 on Grade level 13, are paid less than N30,000 monthly pension to state where the minimum  wage is N30,500.

Penpushing reports that, the protesters disclosed that, they have written 13 letters to the Governor over the ugly development, stressing that re-scheduling of outstanding gratuities payment for 34 years with N500million quarterly is brazen wickedness, pointing out that the so-called two gratuities paid secretly by the Ministry of Finance is fraud

The Secretary to the State Government accompanied by other top government officials after listening to the protesters and collected documents to back up their allegations, during the protest which lasted for over three hours pledged that, all issues will be addressed in their favour.

Penpushing further reports that, Talabi admitted that, the protesters have genuine points, and therefore called on the body to present a maximum of four representatives to meet with the government, as soon as the Governor is back from his abroad trip.

The Secretary to the State Government, thereafter directed the Commissioner of Local Government Chieftaincy Affairs, to as a matter of urgency provide relevant documents and books relating to the issues as avenue to serve as guide for the meeting, and enable the meeting in proffering lasting solution

Penpushing also reports that, the leader of the protesters in conjuction with his colleagues agreed to the meeting initiative, stressing that this should come up as soon as possible, with a warning that a delay may force them to embark on another round of massive protest, until their demands are attended to

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