By Hamidu Sabo
Katsina
Pensioners in Katsina state have cried on the delay for payment of monthly pension by the state government.
Some of the pensioners said they were yet to receive monthly pension since November, last year, due to e-payment introduced in the state.
According to them, the situation has created untold hardship to their families and increased suffering in search of livelihood.
A pensioner at the office of pensioners association, Malam Mohammed Saulawa, said “I am suffering and hungry; government is yet to pay my pension since November, last year.”
Mohammed who said “I don’t know where to go said the introduction of e-payment by state government was not in favour to pensioners and created suffering to them.
Another pensioner, Isa Ibrahim said delay to pay him his pension has forced him to begging and look for assistance from friends and relatives.
Ibrahim described the situation of pensioners as “terrible” and called on the state government to hasten addressing the problem.
Chairman of state union of pensioners, Rabo Aliyu, confirmed that many pensioners had not received their pension since November, last year.
Aliyu explained that the union was worried on the current problem being faced by pensioners, but assured that “we are doing everything possible to solve the problem.”
In his reaction, permanent secretary, establishment, Mani Usman, attributed the delay to the e-payment introduced by the government.
He said: “We are aware that, pensioners are yet to receive their monthly pension since November last year. We are working hard to normalize payment of pension by next month.”
