* Okowa 
By Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba
Angry retirees of the Delta State civil service under the aegies of “Retired Civil Servants contributory pension scheme”, yesterday shut down business activities in Asaba and its environs over alleged N40billion unpaid contributory pension fund by the state government. 

 The retirees in long queue protest, especially to the state House of Assembly, Government House and in various streets of Asaba chided the state government for its alleged nonchalant disposition to their plight over the years. 

 Expectedly, the pensioners, many of whom “almost at their departure launch”, were clad in Black and Black dresses armed with placards with the inscriptions: “Okowa pay us our money, where is the bailout fund? What was it used for? Many of our members have died, we are tired of stories, implement the harmonization or quit Government House”. 

 Around the Inter-Bau round about in Asaba the protesters rained curses on those they claimed have been behind their predicament, particularly the alleged humiliations meted out on them by the state government officials during their attempt to seek audience the Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. 

 It was reliably gathered that the pensioners had few months ago made attempt to see the governor’s audience over the unpaid pension of over five years, but their efforts were allegedly met with brick walls when they were molested some of the governor’s aides including security agents who prevented them entry at the main gate. 

 In a swift reaction, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu described the allegation as charade and untrue, saying that it was unfortunate the pensioners resorted to hate speeches and absurdity over their demand. 

 He however, assured that government was looking into their protest with a view to solving the problem. One of the retirees, Mrs. Dumebi Opene who spoke to our reporter around Inter-Bau, said: “since 2008 our pensions and retirement were not paid, Okowa keep telling us stories, just imagine level 14 officer on retirement was only paid N865, 000 as her gratuity, we have lost 13 of our members, many are sick, no money to treat the sickness” disclosing that several meetings with the governor failed to yield the desired objective. 

 While alleging that the governor had failed to reverse to the old scheme in payment of pensions, Mrs. Opene said: “when the bailout fund was released to Delta State, we had thought Okowa would have paid us sufficiently, instead he released only N300 million out of N40 billion, this is wickedness”. 

 Also speaking to journalists, the Vice Chairman of the retirees, Mr. Osanakwu Anthony expressed disappointment at the alleged state government’s responses to their demand, saying that Okowa instead of releasing fund for their payment allegedly resorted to payment in piece meal, a situation he said, had been unacceptable to them. 

 Numbering over 3, 000 the retirees at the State House of Assembly gate chanting sorrowful songs with calls on the Assembly leadership to wade into their predicaments. The protesters were however addressed by the speaker, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori who assured them that their demand will be resolved amicably. 

 Noting that violence was never true way to addressing grievance, the speaker called on the pensioners to exercise cautions over their demand and dialogue with as the only headway. 

 As at the time of filing this report, scores of the protesters’ placards littered every nooks and cranny in Asaba including Government House gate and the state House of Assembly while security agents were on hand to ensure no breakdown. of law and order.