By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—An appeal has gone to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to pay the pension and gratuities of pensioners in the state and save them from unnecessary anguish and untimely death.

The President of Imo Baptist Conference, Rev. C. A. Nwaosu, made the appeal while speaking during this year’s five-day annual session of the church at Victorious Baptist Church, Odummara, Obi Orodo, in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state.

“The withholding and/or delay of retired civil servants’ pension and gratuity in the state, has led to the death of many pensioners, whose survival depends on their monthly pension,” Nwaosu said.

He appealed to the governor to not only make it a first charge, but also ensure that it is done without bias, to save pensioners from penury, disease and death.

“The payment of pension is the only hope of pensioners, who served the state selflessly while in service. They now rely on this monthly token to leverage their poor condition”, Nwaosu said.

Apart from commending the Governor for “ doing well in infrastructural development “, the cleric however lamented that there is so much hardship in the country.

“There is so much hardship in the country. Government should look into the situation, find ways of eliminating suffering and give the people hope”, the cleric pleaded.