A TEXT OF PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CONCERNED ABIA PENSIONERS ON THE ISSUES OF ARREARS OF PENSIONS AND GRATUITIES IN ABIA STATE

INTRODUCTION:
We are Concerned Abia Pensioners, the first pressure group that emerged from NUP under the former PDP administration when our members were dying in their numbers due to non-payment of pensions and gratuities. We broke away to speak for our members because the Leadership of NUP refused to speak for them when the former PDP-led government owed and literally caused the death of many of our members. We were the ones demonstrating in black and black to show our agony against the gross neglect of our pensioners in Abia State by the past administration. We were the group that met with Dr. Alex Otti during electioneering campaign where he promised us that if he becomes the Governor, he would pay us the arrears of pensions and gratuities owed us. Our faces are very familiar and popular, especially on the streets and in the media.

It was this same group that wore white and white to show solidarity with the Governor after his inauguration as the Governor of Abia State. We were also the group that went to churches to hold thanksgiving service when the Governor paid us part of our pension arrears and started paying us full pension on the 28th of every month along side the current workers in Abia State.

WHY WE INVITED THE PRESS

We invited the press to make a position known to the Governor and other members of the public.
1. As a group, we had sought audience with the Governor through Protocol Department to enable us meet with him and state the facts as they are and subsequently make our humble request which we are doing here today.

2. The leadership of NUP that refused to speak out over the years, had locked us out of the NUP hall built and donated to us by Rotary Club of Umuahia to serve as a resting hall for all pensioners, irrespective of one’s LGA or State. We were locked out because they accused us of working against the PDP goverment and supporting Dr. Alex Otti in those dark days of our struggle. This action made us to be staying outside, under the sun to hold our meetings up till now. This is verifiable.

3. We want to reiterate that we are happy that our pension is now full and regular, unlike what was obtainable in the past. This is public knowledge.

4. From all indications, the leadership of the NUP believe they have played the Governor and his government, by entering into an agreement with the government even without the consent of those of us who have been the original and visible agitators over the years, only to turn around and deny entering into such an agreement after getting the government to fulfil its part of the agreement. This is dishonourable and does not represent who we are as pensioners.

5. The Leadership of the NUP that has suddenly found its voice after years of silence and insensitivity, should apologise to the Governor and Abians for lying and trying to paint the government black unjustly, knowing very well that their sudden agitation is self-serving and politically motivated. The question is; why did NUP keep quiet over the years, and surreptitiously supported the PDP government that owed our members over the years by refusing to talk, only to suddenly turn around to attack, vilify and lie against the present government that has not only defrayed a chunk of the pension arrears owed by the past government, but has started paying pensioners regularly and in full?

OUR PRAYER

While we the Concerned Abia Pensioners, who have been speaking for Abia Pensioners over the years, unequivocally apologise to our Governor for the unprovoked distortions, disinformation and misrepresentations against his person and his government by the NUP, we appeal to him to please take a second look at the issue of gratuity and ensure that though these arrears were not incurred by his government, but that he extends his compassionate intervention by clearing them like he has done on salary arrears, even if it’s done instalmentally.
This is because, gratuity is the whole essence of the public service and nobody would think of losing his gratuity after his 35 years of service or 60 years of age in the Service.

Elder John Kalu
Chairman
(Senior Citizen of the Republic).

Chief Emeka Okezie
Coordinator.

Comr. Stanley Ibekwe
Secretary.