Pensioner Dies During Verification Exercise

Two pensioners have died, while three others slumped during a verification ordered by the Bayelsa state government, The Punch reports
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7, at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex at Ovom area of Yenagoa.

Two out of the three pensioners that collapsed were said to have survived while one is said to be in a coma at a private hospital in the state capital.

The exercise which started on Monday was initiated by the state government to get the actual figure of the pensioners in the state. But the retirees complained that the exercise had many hiccups and urged the government to find a lasting solution to their plight.

Chief Bodi Amaran, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Bayelsa action group chapter, confirmed the incident.
He lamented the plight of pensioners in the state, saying that they were being treated as refugees.

Amaran, who said the pensioners were owed nine months, noting that many of them were hungry while others had been on drugs but were unable to buy their medications due to lack of money.
Daniel Ogobugha, a pensioner, said he was not happy with the method adopted for the verification, adding that the government should have combined the payment of the arrears with the exercise.

Another pensioner identified as Richard Epiri, urged the government to expedite action in paying the backlog of their pensions.

Mrs. Jane Aleke, the chairperson, Bayelsa Pensions Board, also confirmed the incident saying the pensioners collapsed because of exhaustion. However she did not indicate if any death occurred.

She said that the exercise was not aimed at stressing the retirees but to enable the government get the actual figure of pensioners.

Just recently, workers in Bayelsa state had decided to embark on an indefinite strike but over months of salary arrears owed by the state.

The workers had issued a 21 day ultimatum to the Bayelsa state government to pay all outstanding salaries and allowances and it elapsed on Wednesday, May 18.

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By Unknown on Tuesday 7 June 2016