The Governorship candidate of the PDP in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Mr. Val Ozigbo has condemned what he called “mindless non-payment of gratuities to civil servants that retired in Anambra State since 2017.”
In a release made available to the press, Mr. Ozigbo said it was unbelievable that after the efforts by the Peter Obi administration to clear over 35 billion Naira 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 5 billion Naira again by its refusal to pay retirees their pension 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.
In Ozigbo’s words: ‘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.”
