Abia - Pensioners in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia on Tuesday in Umuahia staged a peaceful protest over non-payment of their benefits by the state government.
The pensioners, who were about 100 with green leaves in their hands, trekked from the Sub-Treasury along Bende road to the Government House, Umuahia, chanting war songs.
The spokesman of the pensioners, Mr Mba Udo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the protest was embarked on to register their displeasure over the insensitivity of government to their plights.
He said that government was not consistent in the payment of their pensions and that they were owed four months arrears.
"What we see in Abia is selective payment of pensions. While some of our colleagues are owed four months arrears, other are owed more than that," he said.
Another spokesperson, Mrs Nnennaya Oriaku, said that it was a matter of regret that even when their entitlements were meagre, the government was not willing to pay us.
"We are calling on the government to pay us all our outstanding pension arrears," she said.
She said that it was unfortunate that having served government with all sincerity, they were now neglected at their old age and 11left to die hopelessly''.
Oriaku said that those of them who retired from 2000 till date had yet to receive their gratuities from the government.
NAN