Pensioners under the aegis of Association, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, BOUESTI, in Ekiti State has lamented over 41-year-old unpaid gratuities and arrears to their members.
The pensioners also called on the Governor of the State Mr Biodun Oyebanji as a matter of urgency and intervene into the matter by mandating the University to pay the outstanding gratuity without further delay.
The BOUESTI retirees said the non-payment of the gratuity and other entitlements for a long time had impacted negatively on the lives of their members.
According to a letter dated 3rd of November and signed by its Chairman and Secretary Dr. Kola Ajaja and Mr. Tunde Olowe, respectively, a copy which wasade available to Journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, said the delay in the payment had terminated theives of many of their members.
“Many of us are facing serious health challenges and some others are in a very bad conditions because of lack of money to cater for their daily needs.
“The none payment of pension arrears. Our people are owed various amounts of pension arrears. In addition, the management is yet to pay two months arrears of 2018 pension to all our members.
“None remittance of 12 months deductions from the pension of our members to the union’s account by the University management”.
The Pensioners noted with dismay the none implementation of the 20 – 28 percent pension increase by the University management which had been paid to the regular staff with effect from March 2024.
“Our pension should be paid as and when due, without discrimination and fractionalization”.
When contacted for reaction, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of BOUESTI, Mr. Temitope Akinbisoye, noted that the University is doing all it can and hopefully will yield the desired results.
Akinbisoye added that the management of the University still has a fruitful discussion with the leadership of the association on October 16, 2024 and that plans are on the way to pay the outstanding allowances.