Date: 2017-05-10

Hundreds of pensioners from the 16 local governent areas of Kwara on Tuesday stormed the state House of assembly, request it to intervene in an unpaid N4 billion pension and gratuities to members.

The pensioners, including Women and widows under the umbrella of Kwara Local Governent Pensioners Association, carried placards with various inscriptions demanding immediate payment of their pensions and gratuities.

The House Leader, Hasssan Oyeleke and some members met the pensioners on behalf of the speaker at the main entrance of the chamber of the House immediately after the Tuesday's plenary.

The Secretary of the Local Government Pensioners Association, Alhaji Saidu Oladimeji, who led the pensioners to the assembly, explained that conditions of most local government pensioners in the state were pathetic following the indebtedness.

Oladimeji lamented the stoppage of payment of gratuities to the pensioners since 2008 and non implementation of 20 per cent pension increase following review of salaries.

Oladimeji noted that the shifting of payment of teachers in the Junior Secondary schools in Kwara compounded the financial predicament of local governments in the state.

He said non payment of members had incapacitated them from meeting their medical and domestic obligations at home.

The House Leader, Oyeleke, commended the pensioners for reporting their plight to the legislature as representatives of the electorate.

He assured them that the house would critically examine their grievances during Wednesday plenary. (NAN)