By Aliyu DANLADI
The Aggrieved Pensioners of Edo State, a pressure group under the Nigerian Union Pensioners (NUP) Edo Chapter, has appealed to Edo State Government to pay outstanding pension arrears.
The Chairman of the group Mr Gabriel Osenweka said in Benin on Wednesday that the previous administration in the state intentionally removed some names from the payroll.
“Two years ago before the present government, the past administration intentionally removed names of some pensioners in the payroll and deprived them of their pay.
“Majority of pensioners die yearly as a result of non-payment of their pension, while some others die of hunger.
“We need the government to look into the payment issue; they can even pay in tranches to those who are affected,’’ he said.
Gabriel commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his efforts in paying pensioners in the state.
On May 1, the governor promised to pay the pensioners their outstanding arrears on or before the end of December.