Pensioners Block DTHA Gate.

Posted by admin | 9 years ago | 3,153 times



The entrance of the Delta State House of Assembly Complex in Asaba was yesterday blocked by a group of pensioners under the aegis of Association of Contributory Retirees(ACR), Delta State Chapter.

The Pensioners were protesting over non-payment of pension arrears worth over N1.6 billion. They stopped workers and visitors from entering the premises for several hours after which they left for other destinations in the state capital with angry placards.
 
The ACRs who were protesting for the second time in the last two months, alleged that the pension scheme is being run at the dictates of the State Government which is against the Contributory Pension Law which frowns at any government interference. They accused the state government of not releasing their share of the contributory pension scheme following the 5% that was deducted from their salaries while in service.

Speaking through their Chairman, Mr. Ovwiroro Ajueyitsi Eric, they said that workers were made to believe that PENCOM will police the system and ensure that they are paid their correct entitlement immediately they retire but this has not been the situation.

According to the Chairman, "the Contributory Pension Scheme in Delta State is fraught with a lot of challenges. This has caused the ACR members sufferings, pains and death from 2010 till date without PENCOM or the state government taking any positive action to save our souls, despite series of our cries".

He called on the President, federal and state assemblies and PENCOM to take speedy action towards solving their problem. “There is no need pretending that all is well, when those who served Delta State, and indeed Nigeria for 35 years are being cast away to die while the governor and his deputy will earn salaries for life after serving the state for only eight years. This no doubt is man’s inhumanity to man".
 
At the first protest in September this year, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had invited the retirees to a meeting where he was said to have ordered the immediate release of N1.5 billion for payment of the contributory pension arrears. The protest of yesterday shows that no action has been taken to that effect.


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