Nigeria Content Online

Oyo State
pensioners nearly disrupted the signing of the state’s 2011
appropriation bill on Wednesday as they surged at the main gate of the
governor’s office to protest non-payment of the arrears of their
allowances.

The pensioners, in
an address prepared by their chairman, Lateef Adegoke, accused the
government of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of consistently falling on
promises to pay the allowances.

“It is exactly 305
days ago, precisely Friday, 30th April, 2010, when Oyo State governor,
Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, promised to commence the payment of the
arrears of 142 % owed Oyo State pensioners,” Mr. Adegoke said.

“On that day, 30th
April, 2010, the secretary to the state government, Olayiwola Olakojo,
issued a press statement in which he stated government’s intention to
pay the arrears. The commissioner for finance, Bayo Bankole, reinforced
this statement, albeit belatedly, on 22nd October, 2010. We were so
sure of these statements that we swallowed hook, line and sinker what
we were being told,” he said, as he relayed the many assurances from
the government.

Mr. Adegoke alleged
that when they kept mounting pressure on the government to fulfil its
promises, its agents told them that the file was already on the
governor’s table, awaiting his signature, and at another time, told
them that the delay was occasioned by the lateness of the state Pension
Board to submit the file.

“We have finally
found out that the governor’s statement of 30th April, 2010, and that
of his commissioner for finance of 22nd October, 2010 were barefaced
lies meant to deceive Oyo State pensioners,” the statement read further.

Despite efforts by
the security personnel manning the governor’s office’s gate to prevent
the senior citizens from entering the premises, noise of their
anti-government chants disturbed the signing of budget going on at the
Executive Council chambers yesterday.

They said that the
government could not pay the arrears even when it has “the money for
obscene frivolities,” adding that the governor was not labour-friendly
and only interested in fighting imaginary foes.

Boost revenue

Speaking at the
budget signing ceremony, the governor said he would intensify effort
this year to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),
saying the nation’s monolithic economy is having telling effects on
administration.

While promising the
people of the state to always embark on projects that will put smiles
on their faces, he urged them to ensure that they protect government
properties in their area and try to report any form of vandalism
promptly.

In his own speech,
Olawale Atilola, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, regretted
activities of the legislative arm of government at the state level is
being hampered by their reliance on fund from the executive.

Mr. Atilola informed that his house jerked up the original budget
proposed by the state governor with N4.5 billion to take care of some
areas not adequately catered for.