Pensioners in Benue State have staged a protest to demand their share of the bailout funds from the State Government.
The protesters converged at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, to demand their share of the N28.5 billion bailout funds from the Governor Samuel Ortom-led government.
The pensioners, mostly aged men and women, began arriving the Government House as early as 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday to demand the payment of their five months pension arrears, following the payment of salaries to civil servants last week from the bailout funds.
Governor Ortom invited the senior citizens into the Banquet Hall to allow for proper interface and offer explanation about the bailout funds, thereby dousing the intended protest mood the pensioners arrived in.
One of the protesters, Comrade Stella Peters, lamented that the pensioners have not been paid since June, asking for their own share of the bailout funds.
Governor Ortom ordered a probe into the over N400 million set aside for monthly payment of pensioners since assuming office in May.
He offered to present the state pensioners’ demands before President Muhammadu Buhari for a further bailout package. (Channels TV)
•Photo shows Governor Ortom.
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