Lagos Pensioners Protest, Vow Indefinite Occupation After Tear Gas

The ongoing protest by Lagos State retirees over delayed payment of their pension entitlements took a dramatic turn on Monday after police fired tear gas at the demonstrators at the entrance of the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa.

The pensioners, who began their protest from the Shoprite area and marched towards the Lagos State Governor’s Office, vowed to occupy the Alausa Government House indefinitely until the state government meets their demands.

The protesters said the use of tear gas had forced them to abandon their initial plan for a peaceful demonstration and resolve to remain at the government premises until their grievances were addressed.

They accused Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his cabinet of failing to release outstanding pension increases, wage awards and other entitlements owed to retirees under the Lagos State payroll.

One of the pensioners said that after 35 years of active service, the state government had paid retirees from Grade Levels 1 to 6 but left those who retired at higher levels with adjusted arrears.

He alleged that the government was delaying the payment of the outstanding entitlements until another administration, despite the hardship being faced by current pensioners.

“This is a state that prides itself as the Centre of Excellence, but it is now becoming a centre of abuse,” the pensioner said.

The protest followed growing concerns among pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) over delays in the payment of their entitlements.

The pensioners had earlier issued the Lagos State Government a 19-day ultimatum to implement outstanding pension increases and wage awards or face further action.

Chairman of the National Union of Pensioners under Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS), Lagos State Council, Michael Omisande, said the union had formally warned the governor to credit pensioners’ accounts with the outstanding payments.

Omisande said the pensioners had served the state for many years and should not be subjected to hardship before receiving their lawful entitlements.

He said the protest would continue indefinitely following the use of tear gas against the retirees.

“Having spent many years serving the state government, it would not be fair that we are being subjected to untold pains to receive our entitlements,” he said.