By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Jalingo
Pensioners in Taraba State may be posed for a show down with Governor Darius over eight years non payment of gratuities and monthly pension to its members, as well as vowed to work against the actualization of his Senatorial ambition under the banner of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).
The Chairman, Comrade Kefas Ketan stated this while briefing newsmen at the gate of government house, Jalingo, while on peaceful demonstration.
“Similarly, we have resolved to boycott the 2023 general elections, since politicians are not truth worthy in meeting the people’s yearnings and aspirations,” he declared.
The pensioners in their hundreds were demonstrating, to show their anger, in the process, demanded Governor Darius Ishaku to either promptly pay them their eight years non-payment of their entitlements, or they would seek legal redress.
Our correspondent reports that the pensioners had earlier protested to the government house to press home their demands over non payment of their entitlements, but no one came out as anticipated, to address them on how best government was trying to ensure their entitlements were paid.
The angry pensioners who were blocked and ignored at the government house, prayed to God to ensure that Governor Darius Ishaku and those advising him against the plight of retirees in the state, should not be favoured in their future endeavours.
Comr. Kefas Katan, the State Chairman of the union who led the protest, told journalists that the state government was owing retirees over N30 billion.
“Since Governor Ishaku has refused to pay us our entitlements, we have resolved to appeal to God to ensure that the governor and those advising him not to pay us our entitlements should see hell in their future endeavours. We are also planning to seek legal redress.
“Our consequential adjustment arising from the implementation of minimum wage for civil servants in 2019, our 33 per cent pension increase approved since 2014, the pension and gratuity are still not paid.
“We want the enrolment of over 1,000 local government retirees for pension, prompt payment of gratuity and pension implementation of the 33% pension increase and implementation of consequential adjustment in pension and others,” the chairman demanded.
