Some retirees in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State have commended the bold step taken by the council chairmen through the state government to settle the retirement benefits of local government retirees in the state.
This is sequel to the clarification on the N40 billion loan facility to settle backlog of unpaid retirement benefits to local government retirees in the state.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Victor Ebonka and who is also the Chairman of Ika North East Local Government Council, had in a press briefing thrown more light on the loan after the meeting of the association with the state government in Asaba.
Thomas Otalor, a retiree, said the move by the chairmen was timely and laudable.
He lamented the untold hardship the affected retirees were going through because of the nonpayment of their pensions, explaining that many of them were sick and had no money to go to the hospital for treatment while some others had died of frustration.
He advised the chairmen to judiciously channel the loan for the purpose it was sought and should not be diverted to other areas.
Also appreciating the council chairmen, Pa. Julius Uchebuego (a retiree), said that the decision was heartwarming, but urged retirees not to raise their hope too high, until they were paid the money, to prevent hypertension and sudden death.
However, he said that he had hope and trust in the present administration of the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, adding that settlement of the retirement benefits of the teeming population of retirees in the state would further endear the state government to the people.
He recalled that one of the electioneering campaign promises of the state governor was the settlement of backlog of pensions of retirees in the state.
