Pensioners in Rivers State are gnashing their teeth over
Governor Nyesom Wike’s N500million largesse to the Sokoto State Government to
douse the pain on the state and traders affected by the inferno at Sokoto
Central Market.
The pensioners, who lampooned the governor, said N500million
would have to a high extent met some of the demands of retired civil servants
in the State.
Some retirees who spoke to newsmen at the Rivers State
Secretariat Complex lamented that since the Governor assumed office in 2015,
Pensioners are yet to receive their gratuities and pension arrears.
One of the retirees, Bariza Kpaen said, “How can our
governor give out such an amount of money when there are so many unresolved
financial issues? We the governor to immediately settle the issues surrounding
the gratuity and Pension arrears now that it is obvious that he has so much to
spend.”
Another retiree who simply identified herself as Hart, said,
“Some of our colleagues have died for lack of funds to take care of themselves
medically and otherwise. The Governor must stop playing politics with the lives
of pensioners in this state.”
On his part, Youth Activist, Charles Jaja blamed elders
statesmen and youths for being silent in the face of Governor Wike’s financial
recklessness; “I am disappointed because I am simply worried about our elder
statesmen and good number of youths who sing the praises of Governor in the
face of this financial irresponsibility.”
Also reacting, Chairman of the Rivers Civil Society
Organizations Enefaa Georgewill, expressed disappointment in an interview with
Dailypost over the donation, stating that while it is not wrong for an entity
to make donations, noted that it is wrong for a government who is yet to
develop its State to do so.
Enefaa, stated that it is saddening that residents of Rivers
State are currently grappling with survival tendencies while Governor Wike has
embarked on a spending spree without appropriation by the Legislature.
According to Georgewill, “There are flooding issues that
need urgent attention that have not been looked into, every year buildings,
plants and people’s source of livelihood are being destroyed due to the
disaster that can be managed if the government simply pays attention.
“Indigent Rivers students are struggling in different
tertiary institutions because the Governor stopped paying them bursary.
Pensioners are dying because the Governor is withholding their pensions and
gratuities.
” What Governor Wike has simply done with that donation to
Sokoto is eye service and dirty politics. The Governor should be concerned
about removing the log in his own eyes before removing the spec in another
person’s eyes.”
Wike had on Wednesday pledged the sum of Five Hundred
Million Naira to support the Sokoto State government to rebuild the Sokoto
Central market that was gutted by fire.
“What affects Sokoto State affects Rivers State. We are
going to support the traders and the government of Sokoto State. We are
donating the sum of N500million to support the traders and also support in
building the market back part of which will go to bringing back the market”,
Wike said.
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