Retirees of the Kaduna State government have given Governor Uba Sani two weeks to pay their eight-year gratuities and pensions or face a shutdown.
The union lamented the precarious situation of retirees, leading to several deaths and suffering of members after retirement.
The call was made by the Chairman of Kaduna State Chapter, Prof. Danjuma Net, during a peaceful protest at Kaduna State Government House, on Tuesday, where he further frowned at the growing plight of pensioners in the state.
“We are giving two weeks, if there’s no progress, we are talking of positive progress, and what I mean is our people are dying in droves, and don’t have the money to pay our hospital bills, many of us are homeless.
“That’s why when he ( governor) came and saw one of us who was running mental and offered to help by paying him: so must all of us be mentally sick before they pay us?” the quizzed.
The Chairman however warned of a peaceful showdown if nothing is positively done ” I’m speaking to you honestly, not only as a Professor, but as a Bishop, if in the next two weeks, nothing is done, I am bringing my bed to sleep here, ” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, while commending the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully, the state commissioner of police, CP, Rabiu Muhammed appealed to the Chairman, promising to convey their letter and demands to the Governor, believing that he will give ear to their plights.
”And we have agreed and we promised that we are going to channel these complaints to His Excellency Governor Uba Sani and we pray he’s going to look into your problems, so let’s give him time to look into these problems so that all us can benefit
”So we thank everyone for being here and for being peaceful. And we promise that we are going to submit your letter to His Excellency, and we pray that he will do something about it, and he promised that he will do something about it,” he assured.
The protesters were carrying placards with several inscriptions reading “We reject 25%, we want our full gratuities and Pensions.” “Is it a crime to serve our dear state Kaduna?” and “Please pay us our Pension and gratuity.”
(Boardroom)
