government areas, went home disappointed, yesterday, as no government
official was on hand to either pay or address them on when they would
get their unpaid pensions and gratuities.
Imo-pensioners
The movement of the pensioners followed several radio announcements
signed by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir George
Eche, asking the affected retirees to present themselves at their pay
points for verification and payment.
we gathered that the radio announcements, which preceded the earlier
planned second round of demonstration, made the senior citizens
temporarily shelve the exercise.
Reports from all the local council areas of the state showed that the
pensioners gathered in their numbers, at all the pay points, as early
as 7.30am, even as they hoped that the end of their suffering was in
sight.
When visited the Orie Uratta headquarters of Owerri North local
council area, a pensioner, who simply identified himself as Chief
Okey, wondered why the government rolled out the announcement when
they were not ready to attend to the frail and famished old men and
women.