By Iduozee Paul, Benin
Pensioners in Edo State have pledged support for the Obaseki administration saying his leadership has engendered unquantifiable growth and development in all spheres of the state’s economy.
Making this known to the media in a solidarity peace protest to NUJ Press Centre, chairman of the Association of Six-Six- Nineteen Pensioners (Primary Schools sector), Comrade Wilfred Idemudia, said, “the transformation in the primary school system through the EDOBEST programme, the revival of technical and vocational education, provision of modern learning infrastructure, training and re-training of teachers amongst others will no doubt help to create a formidable human capital for Edo State”.
He said the primary purpose of the forum is to, “express our profound gratitude for your prompt payment of our pension”.
“It would be recalled that, we retired from the state public service on the 6th of June, 2019, and to our greatest surprise, the payment of our pension started instantly which is a clear departure from the age long tradition.”
He however asked for some reviews.
“It is observed that primary school pensioners earned less than their counterparts given the fact that our pension was prepared with the 2014 salary structure while others had theirs prepared with the consolidated 2016 salary structure, we are appealing that this should be harmonized. ”
Comrade Idemudia added, “the last promotion that was carried out before we left the service on June 6, 2019, majority of the local government councils in Edo State have paid the primary school teachers the arrears but Oredo and few other councils have not paid us.”
Responding, Edo State NUJ chairman, Comrade Roland Osakwe, assured the protesters that the media will let their commendation and complaints be heard.
