We Have Not Collected Any Paris Club Refund, Oyetola Replies Protesting Pensioners

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Osun State Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday denied allegations making the round by group of pensioners that the state government had received another tranche of Paris club fund in the recent time.

Governor Oyetola described the allegation as unfounded, saying there is no way such money could be received secretly without announcing it publicly.

The Governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Adeniyi Adesina, and made available to CityMirrorNews, in Osogbo, said the government has not collected any Paris Club refund.

According to statement, “It is absolute falsehood for any group of people to be claiming that some amount of intervention fund has been made available to the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola Administration.

“Paris Club refund or any refund in any form, is never secretly disbursed.. Such payments are publicly announced.

“Governor Oyetola at inception of his administration promised to run a transparent government. He is not going to renege on this.

He advised the retirees to get their heart together before making frivolous allegations against the state government.

“Governor Oyetola is making frantic efforts to ensure prompt payment of all outstanding arrears, salaries pension and gratuity.

CityMirrorNews recalls that some retired civil servants in the employment of the State government, had on Tuesday morning trooped in the major streets of Osogbo, the state capital to protest the non payment of 13 months arrears of pension and other outstanding debts owed by the state government.

They lamented that the state Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola leaves their issue unattended to while pensioners have continued to swimming in the pool of penury, saying it was unfortunate that they were suffering for what they have laboured after meritoriously serving the state for many years.

They alleged that Governor Oyetola has received a sum of 6.3 billion naira from federal government as another tranche of Paris club refund, urging the Governor not to divert the fund, rather should use it to settle the arrears of pension and other outstanding debts owed them.