Pensioners under the Forum of Local Government Retirees in Osun State, on Thursday, demanded the payment of their 24 months half pension arrears from the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led administration.
The retirees also asked the state government to stop the payment of half salaries and ensure prompt payment of local government pensioners in the state.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, Chairman of the retirees, Lanre Fadahunsi, accused Governor Aregbesola of shortchanging the local government system through the payment of what the state government termed “modulated salaries,” saying that the arrears totaled one year.
They also cried out over the continuous death of their members due to their inability to purchase drugs for their ailments.
They also demanded the prosecution of banks, which have allegedly been delaying the payment of their half pensions, alleging that the banks had contributed in making life unbearable for them.
He said, “We request for a public display of the financial position of the local government in the state in the spirit of Freedom of Information bill.
“Our members across the length and breadth of Osun State, a sizeable number of our people, have suffered untold hardship because of the said modulated payment made to us, which is not it at all.
“Pensions are not supposed to be deductible because it barely holds body and soul together. Fatalities have been recorded. At times, the modulated payment do not come as at when due and when enquiries are made, banks have been fingered at times as delaying the payment, which is gruesome.”
The senior citizens, however, demanded, “the full payment of pensions, prompt payment of all local government pensioners without delay, prosecution of fingered financial institutions, which have made life unbearable for our people and request for a public display of the financial position of the local government in the state in the spirit of FOI bill.”
