Osun retirees set-up IDP camp over N22bn unpaid gratuity, pension arrears

Retirees in Osun State have set-up an Internally Displaced Pensioners (IDP) camp for themselves as a means to protest the non-payment of their gratuity and pension allowances.

The pensioners, under the aegis of Forum of 2011/2012 Group of Retirees, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, on Monday alleged that the state government was owing N22 billion as gratuity.

The N22bn, they said, covered gratuity for Primary and secondary schools retirees, civil servant and that of local government.

When our correspondent visited the IDP camp that was set-up, the retirees food was being shared to the retirees.

Some of them were seen undergoing check-up of eyes at about 01.00pm.

The retirees also placed placards showing their grievances against the Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration.

Among their demands were the completion of the payment of their 18 months’ half-pension arrears; payment of gratuity and funding of gratuity account.

The chairman of the forum, Mr. Omoniyi Ilesanmi, in his address asked the state government to commence full monthly pension payment to them.

He analysed that they are being owed no fewer than nine months pension arrears.

He said, “Today marks a milestone in the history of pensioners in Osun State as we are displaying the pathetic living conditions of these noble, respectable and peace-loving senior citizens of the state who hav serve the state and the nation patriotically and meritoriously. I welcome you to t internally displace pensioner’s camp, first of its kind in the country.

“This group of people starte serving the state when they were young and energetic to nurture our state to an enviable position which attracted the present crops of the ruling class to come to the state as Governor and the likes. The emergence of th present administration has caused irreparable damage to the lives of pensioners, workers and by extension the people of the state.”

According to Ilesanmi, the pensioners are also demanding the payment of their gratuities from 2008 to 2012 and the stoppage of half-payment to them.

“We call on the state government for the immediate payment of the balance of our 18 months’ half-pension and the stoppage of any form of taxation on our pension because our pension is not subjected to taxation,” he added.

He appealed to the Federal Government to set up a probe committee to find out how the monies released to the state were spent.

Asked if Aregbesola administration was the only owing the N22bn gratuity to the workers, one of the pensioners’ leader, Comrade Yemi Lawal said, “The entire money is N22bn. It is not really accumulating. During the regime of Osun former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, he used to put reasonable amount like N100m every month into the pension an gratutity account and were paid on first-come first-serve basis.

“But in 2012, there was exodus. Large number of pensioners retire because of the new pension scheme, the didn’t want to participate and we went there to warn the government not to flout our money, that if there is reduction in monthly salary, monthly wages will increase. We told them that the figure used to pay workers should be retained and the excess should be deposited in the pension account but Aregbesola was spending the money and didn’t put any money in the pension and gratuity account since 2013 and that was how the money accumulated.”

A retired octogenerian who identified himself as Adeniran said he has given up and preparing for death.

While speaking to our correspondent in the IDP camp sideline, he lamented that the suffering was too much for him to bear.

“I have stopped all my children from going to school. They are now learning local trades. This government must change attitude,” he added.