Retirees Protest Against Delta Govt., Accused Okowa Of Misuse Of Paris Club Refund

Protesters under the auspices of Association Of Contributory Retirees, (ACR), on Wednesday accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state of misuse of the Paris Club Refund.

The protesters who staged protest along streets of Asaba, the state capital, allegedly accused Governor Okowa of embezzling both bailout funds and Paris Club Refund released to the state in tranches.

Bearing various placards, the protesters who also stormed Government House to register their grievances, lamented that Okowa has been insensitive to their plight, saying that out of the N10 billion given to Delta state in the third tranche, only a paltry of N300 million was released to retirees out of over N20 billion owed them.

Some of the inscription in the placard read: “The wrath of God is upon you Okowa for punishing retirees”, “Okowa you are heartless, you are wicked, your 2019 ambition will be bleak without retirees and pensioners pay in Delta state”, “Pay retirees their money.”, “No harmonization, no second term, Paris club and bailout are palliative for workers salaries and pensioners, Okowa pay us”, among others.

While expressing bitterness over the non payment of the entitlements due them, the retirees said they can no longer take care of their families, pay house rents, school fees while several of their colleagues have died from hunger and one sickness or the other.

“Even with the 3rd tranche of the bailout fund by the federal government, retirees under the CPS are still being shortchanged. Out of the N10 billion given to Delta state in the third tranche, only a paltry of N300 million was released to retirees out of over N20 billion been owed us, they lamented.

They listed among other challenges being faced by retirees in the state to include the default of the Delta state government in the payment of 5% of the monthly wage of its employees into the Retirement Benefit Bond Redemption Fund, (RBBRF) account and irregular payment of the Delta state government 10% pension fund contribution into the retirement saving accounts, (RSA) of contributors who are public servants.

Addressing the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori when the protesters storm the Assembly, the leader of the group, Comrade Ajueitis Ovwiroro said, “The Contributory Pension Scheme is a monumental failure in Delta State as the governor has persistently flaunted the rules of the scheme.

“Ten years after the Contributory Pension Scheme, (CPS), came into force in Delta state, the government is still grappling with the issues in a scheme that is supposed to be auto-run.”

“He has refused to the mandatory 5% of the monthly wage bill of its employees into Retirement Benefit Bond Redemption Fund, (RBBRF) account with the Central Bank of Nigeria as stipulated by law thereby causing us untold hardship as there is no savings to fall back to.”

“It is sad to note that as at September, 2017 contributory retirees in the state are still waiting for the implementation of the agreement reached with former governor Uduaghan, NLC, and the chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council for the release of N500 million monthly into the Retirement Benefit Bond Redemption Fund, (RBBRF) account with the Central Bank of Nigeria to settle the payments of the retirement benefits to contributory retirees.

The protesters however, called on governor Okowa to without further delay effect the issuance of irrevocable standing payment order (ISPO), to the Accountant General of the Federal for dedication of N500 million monthly from the state revenue allocation from the federation account until the whole debts are liquidated as well the immediate harmonization of all retirees payments under the CPS and better still revert to the pay-as-you-go pension scheme until the state government is ready for the CPS.

All effort by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Tam Brisibe and state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor as well as Head of Service, Mr. Bayoko to appease the protesters were rebuffed as they insisted on hearing from the governor

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