Osun Pensioners Threaten Statewide Protest Over Withheld

 

LG Funds, Back Adeleke for Second Term

Pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Osun State have threatened to embark on a statewide protest over the continued refusal of the Federal Government to release the state’s local government allocations.

The retirees, operating under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS), said the development has worsened the hardship faced by pensioners, workers and their dependants across the state.

Speaking at an end-of-the-year gathering in Osogbo on Tuesday, Chairman of the Osun State chapter of NUPCPS, Comrade Adeosun Samuel Adegbemiga, described the withholding of the allocations as unjust and insensitive, despite repeated appeals and agitations from concerned stakeholders.

He warned that the pensioners would be left with no option but to take to the streets if the Federal Government fails to reverse the decision.

Adeosun, however, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for what he described as his administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees in the state.

He noted that the payment of half salaries owed workers and retirees by the previous administration, as well as other welfare interventions, had helped to ease the suffering of pensioners.

According to him, some of the interventions include the provision of free healthcare through the Osun State Health Insurance Scheme, payment of monthly palliatives, and settlement of outstanding salary arrears.

“In appreciation of these efforts, pensioners in the state have resolved to support Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in office. This decision is purely based on gratitude and not political considerations,” Adeosun said.

The pensioners, however, appealed to the governor to also address the plight of retirees who have not received any bond payments since 2017.

They further called for an upward review of the monthly palliative, speedy payment of outstanding salary arrears, and settlement of cooperative deductions and other entitlements owed by past administrations.