• Stop playing politics with our lives, Retiree laments
Aggrieved pensioners have taken a swipe at Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike over the ₦500 million he reportedly donated to rebuild mosque inside the central Sokoto market.
Obinwannem News learnt that governor Wike pledged the sum of ₦500 million to support the rebuilding of Sokoto central market that was gutted by fire outbreak.
This was confirmed in a Statement expressed by the governor. He said,”What affects Sokoto State, affects Rivers State. We are going to support traders and the government of Sokoto State. We are donating the sum of ₦500 million to support traders; and also support in the building the market back – part of which will go to bringing back the market.”
News made available to Obinwannem News revealed that pensioners in River State are yet to receive their gratuities and pension arrears, since 2015 the governor assumed office.
One of the retiree, who identified himself as Hart, said, “Some of our colleagues have died for lack of funds to take care of themselves, medically and otherwise. The governor must stop playing politics with the lives of pensioners of the State.”
Another retiree, Bariza Kpaen, said: “How can our governor give out such a sum of money when there are so many unresolved finacial issues? The governor should immediately settle the issues surrounding gratuity and pension arrears now that it is obvious he has so much to spend”.
According to Georgewill, “There are flooding issues that need urgent attention, that have not been looked into. Every year, buildings, plants, and people’s source of livelihood are being destroyed due to the disaster that can be managed if the government (would) simply pay attention.
“Indigent Rivers students are struggling in different tertiary institution because the governor stopped paying them bursary. Pensioners are dying because the governor is withholding their gratuities and pensions.
“What governor Wike has simply done with the donation to Sokoto is eye service and dirty politics. The governor should be concerned about removing the log in his own eye before removing the spec in another person’s eyes.”
Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News
