By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—Aggrieved local government pensioners, yesterday, took over the Benue State Go-vernment House entrance, protesting over 70 months unpaid pension arrears.

Gov Samuel Ortom

The protesers, operating on the platform of Coalition of Local Government Retirees, were made up of  retired primary school teachers and local government staff in the 23 local government areas of the state.

Led by one Michael Vambe, the pensioners displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Pay us, our children are being thrown out of schools,” “We have served the state, please pay us our due,” and “Our members are dying because we cannot pay hospital bills or buy drugs.”

The protesters, who were received by the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Benson Abounu, speaking through Vambe, said: “We have backlog of arrears dating back to 2010.”

Responding, Mr. Abounu assured them that government would address all the concerns and issues raised.

He urged the pensioners to elect two of their members, who would liaise with his office, to ensure that they were properly captured in the disburse-ment of funds for the payment of all local govern-ment retirees in the state.