Omo-Agege laments Okowa’s failure to pay retirees’ gratuities

*Says he would pay up when elected as governor

By Jon Egie

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has lamented failure of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to pay gratuities of retirees in Delta State saying the neglect and outright refusal of the Okowa led administration to pay the gratuities and pensions of the senior citizens amounted to derision and hatred of workers in the State.

The federal lawmaker who represents Delta Central in the Senate made the remark while giving a goodwill message to workers across the country on the occasion of the celebration of Workers’ Day being celebrated today.

While felicitating with the Nigerian workers, he gave an applause for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice.

He noted that workers’ efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who is in the governorship race of Delta State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said:

“The continued neglect and refusal of the state government to pay retirees’ pensions and gratuities speak to the disdain, aversion, contempt, derision and hatred by the Okowa-led government for workers.

“Unfortunately, many retirees have passed on without collecting their entitlements while others have resorted to riding commercial motorcycles popularly called Keke and Okada to make ends meet.

“Current workers are also not that hopeful that they would be receiving their entitlements as and when due upon retirement. This does not speak well of an oil-rich state like Delta.

“It is a sorry state that those who have diligently served the state for the most productive part of their lives are treated like second-class citizens by the state government.

“Our message of building a new Delta hinged on Employment and Empowerment, Development, Good Governance and Enduring peace and security (EDGE) will usher in a better deal for workers.

” Frankly speaking, Delta State workers deserve better and we shall deliver on all promises to them,” he said.