Screening Exercise: Kogi Pensioners Deserve More Dignity, Appeals To Gov. Bello To Save Them From the Unfortunate Situations
It is no longer news how screening exercises of different kinds and at different times has become the norm in Kogi State, especially among the civil servants and pensioners which has led to the untimely demise of many of them.
In a recent development, retired concerned citizens of Kogi state have bemoaned the spate of Heck Kogi state Pensioners encountered across the state while finding their ways to different commercial banks for verification /capturing as directed by the pension office.
Expressing concern over the “unpleasant” circumstances surrounding the plight of the senior citizens as it was referred to, over bank verification/capturing so as to certify if their names appear on the payroll of Kogi Pension Board.
Our reporter gathered that the situation of these senior citizens are very pathetic due to some being visually impaired, others having one ailment or other health challenges etc.
The impeccable source emphasized that the incident can result in the tragic loss of some lives due to lack of other access or points of capturing, noting that, the situation remain the same across the state where it is only a few Commercial banks that’s available for such exercise, while some of the local have no functional bank facility.
An eyewitness who claimed anonymity pointed out that the capturing exercise is billed to hold for 7 days, however underscoring the likelihood of recording casualties over the excessive overflows of those who wanted to access the process.
“Passionate appeal is therefore made to Gov. Yahaya Bello and the incoming Governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo to expediently wade into the plight of rural pensioners most especially by either extending the date of the screening process or giving other alternative access to the capturing exercise, consider drawing a quick attention to their circumstances”.
“According to one of them who appealed earnestly to the Governor said, look at us, we senior citizens from Okun land, First Bank Kabba is the only one in the entire zone. Please for God’s sake the 7 days allotted for the exercise is grossly inadequate. If the exercise is not extended, many senior citizens will find their names omitted on the payroll of Kogi Pension Board”, he begged.
Others even said that they have to know someone in the bank or have some money to tip their way through the hectic and turbulent exercise.
However, concerned individuals have drawn the attention of the Governor to this unfortunate life-threatening exercise. hopeful that the Governor wades into the unfortunate situation as one of his parting gifts to the senior citizens of the state.
