By Emma Una

CALABAR—OVER 200  retirees and pensioners bearing placards, yesterday, stormed the office of the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade, to protest  the  non- payment of their  five years gratuity by the state government.

Some of the placards, read  ‘Retirees are dying of hunger and neglect,’ ‘ Why have we been reduced to beggars and borrowers?’ ‘ No gratuity for five years, why?’ ‘Pay us our gratuity so we can access medical attention,’ among others.

Pastor Joshua Idang, who spoke for the pensioners, said, from 2011 till date, they have not been paid their gratuity after retirement, lamenting that the situation had subjected them to untold hardship.

He said that the state government has been insensitive to their plight after serving meritoriously for 35 years.

“After serving the state actively for 35 years, we have been neglected to die of hunger and starvation. We have been suffering and our children have dropped out of school because we can no longer pay their fees.

“From 2011 till date, we have not been paid our gratuity and it has never happened like this before.”