The Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, has assured retirees in the state of regular pensions if he emerges the next governor of the state.

Ozigbo noted that retirees in Anambra were currently groaning under pension arrears of about N 5 billion which has been accumulating since 2017 when the incumbent administration in the state stopped paying gratuities to retirees, an act he condemned as “heartless” and vowed to reverse the trend if he comes to power.

In a statement made available to the newsmen, Mr. Ozigbo said it was unbelievable that after the efforts by the Peter Obi administration to clear over N35 billion arrears of pension and gratuities owed retirees in Anambra State since 1991, “that the present government in Anambra State has allowed the debt to start accumulating to over N5 billion again by its refusal to pay retirees their pension since 2017.”

The PDP standard bearer described the action as “heartless and wicked,” wondering how those responsible for the non-payment of the pensioners 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.

“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 the welfare of our family. I was happy when Obi cleared the gratuities but saddened now that they have started to accumulate under Gov. Willie Obiano.”

Assuring retirees of his capacity to stop the trend, he said that depriving workers of their wages or rewards cannot be justified by any means.

He also said that as a Christian, he was aware that depriving workers of their wages was regarded as one of the sins crying to heaven for vengeance.

Concluding, Ozigbo said that compassion for the people was one of the qualities that leaders should possess; especially now that the country was witnessing the worst economic downturn.

“It is sad to see a Governor taking over a billion 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 eventually change the trend for good in the fullest of time.

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