“It is sad to see a governor taking over a billion naira as monthly security vote” – Ozigbo
The governorship flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 6 election in Anambra State, Val Ozigbo, has criticized what he called “mindless non-payment of gratuities to workers that retired in state since 2017″.
In a statement on Friday, Ozigbo said it was unbelievable that after the efforts by the Peter Obi administration to clear over N35bn arrears of pensions and gratuities owed retirees in the state that the present government had allowed the debt to start accumulating to over N5bn by its refusal to pay retirees since 2017.
He described the action as heartless and wicked, wondering how those responsible feel whenever they read the stories of retirees dying due to lack of basic needs they often use the gratuities to solve through the returns they get after investing it wisely.
He said ‘I am the son of a headmaster, I recall how my father invested his gratuity wisely after retirement and how the little investment contributed to welfare of our family. I am happy when Obi cleared the gratuities but saddened that they have started to accumulate under Gov. Willie Obiano.”
Assuring retirees of his capacity to stop the trend, he said depriving workers of their wages or rewards could be justified by any means.
He said as a Christian, he was aware that depriving workers of their wages was regarded as one of the sins crying to heaven for vengeance.
Ozigbo maintained that compassion for the people was one of the qualities that leaders should possess, especially now the country is witnessing the worst economic downturn.
He added,“It is sad to see a governor taking over a billion naira as monthly security vote, going on long convoy, junketing around the world in the name of holidays, sponsoring things that do not add to the growth and well-being of the state and yet cannot pay the gratuities of retirees.
Ozigbo assured that he would change the trend for good if voted as the next governor.
The state government had in the 2022 appropriation bill budgeted N18bn for the payment of pensions and gratuities in the fiscal year.
