WHAT SHOULD WE TELL THE PENSIONERS?
The last time I checked, the teeming Imo
pensioners otherwise known as senior citizens were conspicuously bemused and
astonished over what could best be described as ‘breach of contract’. The
situation was ostensibly helpless, hence the need for a sober reflection.
It would be recalled that recently – precisely
in July 2017 – the Imo state’s governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha graciously
announced the second receipt of the Paris Club refund, and equally used the
medium to clarify that the fund would be used to clear the pending arrears of
pensions accruable to the state’s retirees as well as pay workers’ salaries.
Those of us who had closely watched the
revered senior citizens wallow in penury were so pleased over the announcement,
thus intensely appreciated the number-one citizen for thinking in such
remarkable direction. In fact, at the time, we couldn’t wait to observe the
pensioners smile at least once again.
Lest I forget; penultimate year, the
government had what seemed like a deal with the pensioners. The former pleaded
with the latter to forfeit sixty percent (60%) of each of their respective
pension arrears ranging from past years till December 2016, promising to start
paying their pension promptly – and in full – starting from January 2017. Majority
of the creditors complied with the plea just for the sake of peace and way
forward. Though some of those who refused to comply are yet to receive their
pay as regards the period in review, it’s worth noting that that’s not the
concern of this very piece.
Having sacrificed greatly in order to
ease the burden for the government with the view of ensuring that 2017
henceforth, they would never be regarded as creditors to the government
regarding arrears of pensions, it is saddening to note that the pensioners are
still not sure what their fate entails when it calls for payment of pensions in
the Eastern Heartland.
Sometime two months ago, after the
declaration of the receipt of the Paris Club refund, they were called to Owerri
to collect the arrears of pensions owed them having undergone a rigorous
verification conducted by a committee set up by the governor. They went to the
venue for the payment, expecting to receive at least eight months of pension
arrears – ranging from January to August 2017 – only for them to be handed over
cheques required to take care of just
three months of their various pensions. However, they were asked to return the
following week for the remaining payment. It’s noteworthy that some of them are
yet to receive their cheques for the first three months of the year.
It’s pertinent to acknowledge that something
very impressive transpired while the cheques were being issued to the senior
citizens. Some account officers from the state’s Pension Board were found
wanting, thus were instantly arrested by the police via the request of the
government. It would be recalled that the Imo government had before then been
crying foul that so much funds were being utilized on payment of pension in the
state owing to leakages yet to be discovered.
Hence, when the indicted pension
officers were caught and the misappropriations ascertained therein, I immensely
jubilated as well as applauded the Rescue Mission Administration, hoping that
the revelation would go a long way in ensuring that the teeming pensioners were
no longer owed subsequently since the cause of the inconsequential excesses had
been brought in the government’s know.
Intriguingly, the case remains the
same till date. The pensioners are still looking forward to when the ‘next
month’ would be to collect their balance as pledged by the government. Against
this backdrop, they keep asking the informed minds like us what their fate
actually entails. And frankly, I have gotten tired and exhausted of telling
them that the government is on it, hence they ought to exercise patience. Right
now, I’m asking; what should we tell the pensioners?
I can’t vividly remember how many
times I have written as well as spoken on the lingering impasse between the
government and the pensioners. For the umpteenth time, I’ve taken my precious
time to deliberate on this unending quagmire. Funnily enough, when I was trying
to protect the government’s image, some of the pensioners alleged that they
were offered dud cheques; that the cheques given to them were bounced when
presented at the banks. The report got me destabilized and helpless.
I wouldn’t like to comment on this
anomaly again, thus I urge the government headed by a man who I believe is
compassionate to look into the eyes of the angry pensioners and tell them
nothing but the gospel truth. They have surely waited patiently, hence at the
moment, have exhausted the patience. It’s invariably my pleasure to mediate
between the two parties involved, but it pisses my person off whenever I sense
melodrama.
Penultimate week, the government disclosed
that the unfortunate situation was informed by paucity of funds, thus promising
to pay up when things normalized. If such notice holds water or anything to go
by, then one would like to know what really happened to the Paris Club refund
that was received of late in which we were told would be used to clear backlog
of pension arrears.
It’s noteworthy that they are asking
for their rights, not privilege. It suffices to say that I see no reason they
ought to be begging for such entitlement. I truly share their plights; that’s
the reason I’m always concerned about these brouhahas.
So,
at this juncture I repeat; what should we tell the pensioners? Should they
start expecting another messiah, or remain resilient? It’s needless to state
that only a straightforward and specific answer is required in this regard.
Think about it!
Comrade FDN Nwaozor
Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri
________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador
