PRESS RELEASE
The Forum Of Imo-Based Newspaper Editors (FINE) has condemned the attitude of the state government under the leadership of Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodinma, insisting that pensions and salaries are not political issues.
In a release signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Forum, Mr. Chinedu Max Egere and Elder Chigozie Uzosike respectively and made available to newsmen, the editors stated that Imo State has passed the level of playing politics with the pensions and salaries of retirees and workers, especially that the salary is the first line charge. ‘With the very many verifications of both the retirees and civil servants by past administrations, it is expected that the issue of dragging the aged pensioners through the rigorous process of verification now and again should have been done with’.
The Forum urged the Governor to pay all the pensioners and civil servants without having to make it an issue for public discuss as a worker deserves his pay especially the pensioners who have used their youthful vigor to serve their mother land, adding that the ill-treatment of the pensioners could send negative trend down the line where those who are already working will have no zeal for commitment and dedication to contribute their effort because of the way pensioners are being treated.
The Editors called on the government to put to rest all issues bedeviling the pension matters and ensure that those who have worked are not made to suffer to receive their pensions.
The Forum also urged the Governor to have second look and review the issue of suddenly declaring some civil servants ghost workers, that too is a source of worry as this diminishes the inert desire for hard work and may destroy the civil service system which is the bedrock for any progressive administration.
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