The governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha has stated why Imo state is owing Pensioners a year and a half’s worth in arrears.
The governor has explained that this is because of the Economic downturn gripping the nation.
In a statement at the weekend by the his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha has urged the retirees to be patient and wait till the workers’ verification exercise is concluded in the next few weeks.
The governor appealed with those in support of the protest by the retirees to stop this saying, “The only area the governor felt and still feels worried with the pensioners is their failure or inability to find out the reason for the delay in the payment of their pensions since such hadn’t arisen before now.”
He also stated that dues were paid early up until the Economic downturn, “The pensioners do not need to be told that the governor loves them greatly and would have also loved to pay them all the arrears outrightly.”
“The economic situation in the country at the moment occasioned by the mismanagement of the country’s resources over the years, which has also negatively affected finances of the states has called for stringent measures in the payment of salaries and pensions.”