Factional Group Of Pensioners Give Aregbesola Pass Mark On Welfare, Describes Other As militants

By Abdulrofiu Agboola

The Triangular Group of Pensioners, Osun State Chapter on Monday condemned in its entirety the protest staged by the other faction of the union, under the auspices of Nigerian Union of Pensioners last week to press home their demands on the payment of their Pension Arrears and Gratuities.

The group, while commending Governor Rauf Aregbesola on what it  termed “a sincere sensitive approach to the welfare of pensioners in the state, however   described the action of other faction as uncalled for, and  demonstration  of militant  tendency.

CityMirrorNews recalls that a group of Pensioners had last week Thursday and Friday embarked on a protest state a peaceful demonstration, demanding prompt payment of their Pension Arrears and Gratuities.

The Triangular group, who appear sympathetic to the government of the day titled their speech “Stop Using Pension, Gratuity Matters for Political Gains”, during a press conference addressed by its chairman, Prince Rotimi Adelugba in Osogbo, the state capital.

The rationale behind the briefing was to disclaim some positions held by the 2011/2012 Forum of Retired Public Servants in the state.
Adeluga said his group only believe in peace, dialogue and the welfare of pensioners in the state and have been doing everything within the law to make sure that pensioners’ welfare and interest is jealously guided, as it ‎disassociate his group from what he regarded as “unwarranted demonstration”.

‎The chairman disclaimed the position of the protesting faction of the Union led by its chairman, Mr Omoniyi Ilesanmi who claimed pensioners are still owe up to May.

Adelugba said all pensioners have collected their pension up to May, 2017 in line with the approved schedules.

‎He explained that the schedule for payment was a reflection to Memorandum of Understanding/ Agreement signed by both government and Labour of which NUP is not left out.

He attributed the backlog gratuities to insensitivity of successive administrations in the state, hailing Governor Aregbesola for revisiting the backlog for payments.

‎”The conference became necessary in order to let the general public know the position of our Group on the demonstration and the phantom lies peddled by the Omoniyi Ilesami’s led 2011/2012 Forum of Retirees.

‎”Permit me to make clear that The Triangular Group of Pensioners are bonafide members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, State of Osun who strongly believe in peace, dialogue and the welfare of pensioners in the state and have been doing everything within the law to make sure that pensioner’s welfare and interest is jealously guided.

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“It is therefore very sad to wake up in the early hours of 29th, 30th of June to see a faction of retirees who took to the streets to demand for payment of pension arrears and gratuities.

“While we believe in the right to peaceful demonstration and unbiased demands from government, we equally condemned in its entirely the demonstration.

“We therefore disassociate our Group from from the unwarranted demonstration which we believe is ill-planned, politically motivated and a bid to execute the minds of some politicians.

“Our Group wondered why the demonstration now that the bye election of Osun West Senatorial District election is near.

“Instead of engaging in dialogue with government on issues bothering their minds as to how their benefits would be paid, they resulted in militant approach known to be orchestrated by opposition; telling lies and character assassination capable of destabilizing the peace of the state”, the group added.

‎Adelugba applauded Governor Aregbesola’s high sense of dexterity and administrative sensitivity to workers’ welfare, saying the present administration had painstakingly taken times in explaining to the public and who cares the position of finances of the state in relation to payment of salary and pension coupled with the gratuities.

According to him, when this government came on board in 2010 it paid substantial amount of the backlog of gratuities up to 2014 when the paucity of fund set in.

“On the part of Government, we wish to state that it has been sincere in explaining to the public and who cares the position of finances of the state in relation to payment of salary and pension coupled with the gratuities.

“The reason why it resulted in scheduled payments in line with the Memorandum of Understanding/ Agreement signed by both government and Labour of which NUP is not left out.

‎”Permit me to explain why there is backlog of unpaid gratuities. Col Leo Segun Ajiborisha, left a substantial amount in the gratuity account but when Late Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was governor, the fund was used to print documents and since then up to 2010, when this government came onboard it paid substantial amount of the backlog of gratuities up to 2014 when the paucity of fund set in”, he asserted.

“The second tranche of the Paris fund which Omoniyi Ilesami’s group alleged to have been diverted, we have thoroughly investigated these allegations only to find out that the fund is yet to be released.

“This was corroborated by the Hon Minister of Finance who said last week that that fund after necessary steps would be released soon.

“We wondered where Mr. Ilesanmi and his people got their own information from. It is therefore inhuman, disheartening and uncivilised to note that despite all efforts put in place and the assurance capable of giving hope to retirees, they embarked on character assassination, and blatant lies”.