Members of the State Working Committee during the meeting
By Jon Egie
Public primary school retirees in Delta State have expressed appreciation to to the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for his intervention in the issue of their gratuities, which payment have begun.
The appreciation was contained in a Communique issued at the end of an emergency general meeting of the retirees under the aegis of Association of Contributory Retirees, ACR, Primary held in Ozoro recently.
Among the resolutions reached at the meeting was the obligation to thank the governor for facilitating the commencement of payment of the gratuities which were long overdue.
But they also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of issuance of Certificates of Payment by the Bureau of Local Government Pensions pointing out that as at the end of November 2023, retirees of June/July 2017 set were being invited for collection of their Cerrificates of Payment.
They pleaded with the governor to use the same humane spirit with which he facilitated the commencement of the payment to galvanize the various organs responsible for the payment to gear up and ensure that all Certificates of Payment are issued before the end of December 2023.
They used the opportunity to call on the relevant Pensions Fund Administrators, PFAs to be alive to their responsibility for quick cash out to those who have been issued Certificates of Payment so as to minimize the number of retirees who die without receiving their gratuities.
In the month of November 2023, ACR was in mourning mood as three members of the association were reported dead when they were yet to be paid their gratuities.
The stories of others facing hard times and serious health challenges due to lack of money for self upkeep and purchase of drugs remain untold.
During the meeting, there was a change of leadership of the association following the successful collection of the certificate of payment by the Chairperson of the association, Chief Mrs Ejieh Helen Chionye.
The vacancy created by her automatic exit threw Prince Etuwede Gordons who was the Secretary of the ACR up to wear her shoes as Chairman. Comrade John Egie who was the association Spokesman took the toga of Secretary and to also act as Spokesman.
Comrade Isitua Ismaili got in as Vice Chairman, Mrs Jane Eburu was appointed Financial Secretary while Comrade John Ekpah retained his position as Treasurer.
All local government area chairmen and secretaries were appointed as members of the State Working Committee.
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