By Emma Ogbuehi
Valentine Ozigbo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 6 Anambra governorship election, has condemned what he called “mindless non-payment of gratuities to civil servants that retired in the State since 2017.”
In a release made available to the press, 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, 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 was happy when Obi cleared the gratuities but saddened that they have started to accumulate under Gov. Willie Obiano.”
Assuring retirees of his capacity to stop the trend, he said that depriving workers of their wages or rewards cannot be justified by any means. He also said that as a Christian, he was aware that depriving workers of their wages was regarded as one of the sins crying to heaven for vengeance.
Ozigbo added that compassion for the people is one of the qualities that leaders should possess, especially now the country is witnessing the worst economic downturn.
“It is sad to see a Governor taking over a billion as monthly security vote, going on long convoy, junketing around the world in the name of holidays, sponsoring things that do not add to the growth and well-being of the state and yet cannot pay the gratuities of retirees”, he lamented.
Ozigbo assured that he would eventually change the trend for good in the fullest of time. The PDP flag bearer was recently affirmed the authentic candidate of the party by the Supreme Court, thus clearing the coast for him for unhindered participation in the November poll.
