For the umpteenth time, pensioners in Imo State staged a protest demanding that the State Government led by Governor Hope Uzodimma pay them their pensions.
The senior citizens who as usual blocked major roads in the state capital Owerri on Tuesday, taunted the governor for allegedly lying to them through the Secretary to the State Government, Cosmas Iwu.
Iwu had allegedly promised the protesting pensioners last week Tuesday that they would receive their payments last Friday, 27th June, but the promise did not materialize.
The pensioners who accused the governor of playing politics with their welfare, passed a vote of no confidence on the administration and vowed to occupy the Government House by next week Tuesday if the Government fails to pay them.
They accused Uzodimma and the State government officials of snubbing them, saying that they have reported the governor to God for betraying the trust they reposed in him.
“Somebody that we trusted and gave our loyalty believing he will take care of us but he continued to look elsewhere.
“We are here to stop Hope Uzodimma’s government from owing us. He must pay us our money. Next week, we will come here to play our script”. They warned.
However, a top government official denied snubbing the pensioners, saying the delay in the payment was as a result of the absence of the governor who according to him was away in Abuja for an important assignment that will benefit the state.
He urged the pensioners to show restraint and understanding as all their entitlements will soon be paid.
NIGERIAN HORN