Wike should respond to traumatised pensioners, by Yemi Adebowale

Governor Nyesom Wike has been building flyovers at the expense of human beings. This aptly sums up his almost seven years tenure in Rivers State. This governor has spent about N80 billion on flyovers amid suffering in the state. This morning, I am drawing attention to the plight of those devastated Rivers State pensioners who have not been paid gratuities and pension arrears since 2014. Those who retired from 2014 and further have also not been paid pension. These seniors are suffering. Some have died waiting for annuity.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners in the state, Collins Nwonkwo remarked: “No gratuities or accumulated arrears have been paid so far except for monthly pension. All other benefits that we have been fighting for like gratuities, arrears of pension and harmonisation have not received any response yet. Wike’s tenure is ending; he should start the payment and wherever he stops becomes a starting point for the person coming after him.

The National President, South-South Youths Initiative, Imeabe Saviour adds: “The governor of the state should make deliberate effort to pay our retirees. We have witnessed repeated protests by these elders who served the state with all their strength and time. It is painful that we still see this class of people on the streets demanding what belongs to them that should have been paid with ease.

“We condemn in its entirety the idea of reckless spending of Rivers money on other states. This, the governor does in the form of donations. Within two years, the governor has donated N1.5 billion to three states. N500 million to Sokoto State, N500 million to Benue State and just last week, the governor donated N500 million to Bayelsa State. This is happening when our pensioners are protesting, the education system is not functioning well, and the primary healthcare system is going down the drain. We see this as a slap on the people that gave him all the support he needed.”

My dear Wike, you must slow down on your spirit of flyovers, and touch human lives directly. I challenge you today, to pay all pension and gratuity arrears. Forces of good in Rivers State must put pressure on Wike to do the needful. He must learn to spend more on human capital development instead of splendor projects.

Wike is building very expensive flyovers and multi-lane city roads while public hospitals and schools are in tatters. The citizens lack access to things as basic as public water supply and drivable inner streets, while billions are sunk into flyovers. Only a few homes have access to public water supply in Rivers State.

Source: first published in Thisday