Apply for N50bn loan to pay our entitlement, pensioners tell Oyetola

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Joint Forum of Contributory Pensioners in Osun State has called on the state government to apply for N50billion loan to offset the retirement benefits, modulated salary arrears outstanding and other deductions of pensioners in the state.

The pensioners however threatened to take the government to court should their demand and appealed not considered. 

Addressing journalists shortly after a brief peaceful demonstration at the NUJ State Council, in Osogbo, on Tuesday, Chairman of the group, Gbenga Oyadare said Governor Gboyega Oyetola should use the same method he adopted to successfully construct the iconic Olaiya Flyover where over N2billion was expended, to pay their entitlement.

The pensioners accused the governor and other agencies of government for not yielding to their plight despite uncountable series of efforts made in the past threatened to apply legal means should government failed to yield to their demand. 

Oyadare, who expressed displeasure over the way and manner they are being treated stated that the government has breached Contributory Pension Scheme Law in reference to sections 5(b) and 7, pages 18 and 19 of the Extant Osun State Contributory Pension Law of 2008.

The pensioners further accused the former governor of the state and current Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, of deducting from their salary and refusing to remit it, describing his action as criminal and inhumane. 

Oyadare, however, appealed to the state government to issue the contributory pensioners, letters of promotions that they were due for, while in the service of the state. 

“These promotions should be equally monetized, to give the beneficiaries, a good sense of belonging, while still serving.

“To avoid any legal action, the government should pay the accrued of penal fine of at least 2% on the money deducted from our salaries, including the government counterpart fund it failed to remit to our Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

“This is sequel to the state government running foul of the contributory pension law of Osun State as enacted by the parliament in 2008 with reference to sub-section 5b and 7, contained in pages 18 and 19,” he said

Oyadare said it was specified that the state government, inter alia shall ensure that pensioners who leave or retire from the Public Service of the state receive their terminal benefits as, and when due.