Retirees Flay Okowa’s alleged strident policy towards retired persons

The Association of retirees in Delta State has flayed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa alleged strident policy towards retired persons in the state. The Association has also alleged inhuman treatment meted out on them by the Okowa led administration, adding that the Governor’s alleged actions to retirees had not been encouraging.

Spokesman for the retirees, Mr. Peter Ezeobi, described the situation where retirees have to wait for a number of years before their gratuities and pensions are paid as awful and annoying. He said that retirees who deserve care and honour are currently treated with scorn as they have become psychologically debased and rejected in the state.

Noting that over the years retirees have suffered untold hardship in the state, Mr. Ezeobi, however, called on the state government to ensure a change policy with a view to taking care of retired persons in the state.

According to him, “How can somebody work for 30 years and not paid his/her retirement benefit? It is wickedness, many of our colleagues have died of hunger and we appeal to Governor Okowa to ensure prompt payment of our pensions”.

But in a swift reaction, the special adviser to the Governor on Labour Relations, Mr. Mike Okene, described the allegation against the Governor as frivolous and untrue, saying that the Governor in spite of the paucity of funds has been up to date in payment of retirees’ benefits.