It’s evil to owe pensioners, says PDP’s Ozigbo

Nnachi, E.U, Abakaliki

The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Mr. Val Ozigbo, has condemned what he described as, “Mindless non-payment of gratuities to civil servants that retired in Anambra State since 2017″.

Ozigbo, in statement, on Friday, said, “It was unbelievable that after the efforts by the Peter Obi administration to clear over N35 billion arrears of pension and gratuities owed retirees in Anambra State since 1991, that the present Government in Anambra State has allowed the debt to start accumulating to over N5billion again by its refusal to pay retirees their pension since 2017.

“This action is heartless and wicked and I wonder how those responsible feel whenever they read the stories of retirees dying due to lack of basic needs they often use the gratuities to solve through the returns they get after investing it wisely.

‘I am the son of a headmaster, I recall how my father invested his gratuity wisely after retirement and how the little investment contributed to welfare of our family. I am happy when Obi cleared the gratuities but saddened that they have started to accumulate under Gov. Willie Obiano.

“Depriving workers of their wages or rewards cannot be justified by any means. I am aware that depriving workers of their wages is regarded as one of the sins crying to heaven for vengeance.

“Compassion for the people is one of the qualities that leaders should possess, especially now the country is witnessing the worst economic downturn.

“It is sad to see a governor taking over a billion naira as monthly security vote, going on long convoy, junketing around the world in the name of holidays, sponsoring things that do not add to the growth and well-being of the state and yet cannot pay the gratuities of retirees.”