By Thompson Yamput
Barkin Ladi – The PDP governorship candidate in Plateau, Sen. Jeremiah Useni, has promised to settle outstanding gratuities owed retired workers, if elected governor.
“Every worker will receive his or her gratuity on retirement. This should be a right and not a privilege,” Useni said on Saturday, at a PDP campaign rally in Barking Ladi.
The retired army General regretted that many retired workers had died while struggling for their entitlements, and accused the APC-led government of paying “only five per cent of bulk gratuity to each retiree”.
“Some of these retirees have spent over five years without receiving their gratuities. PDP will not allow such injustice to continue on the Plateau,” he said.
The PDP flag bearer, who pledged to run an all-inclusive government, promised to improve the welfare of workers of the state
Useni told workers not to be deceived by the “mere” payment of monthly salaries by the government.
“It is not enough to get your salaries while still in service. The most critical moment is when you have left service. I will make the payment of gratuities a priority so that retired workers will not wallow in poverty,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Damishi Sango, State PDP Chairman, urged the people to deliver bloc votes to Atiku Abubakar and Useni, to enable them clinch the Presidential and governorship seats.
Sango told the people to defend their votes so that they won’t be robbed of victory.
“Atiku and Useni are tested leaders. If given the chance, they will rescue Nigeria and Plateau from poverty, hunger and suffering,” Sango stated.
Also speaking, Mr Istifanus Gyang, Plateau North Senatorial candidate of the party, said that PDP would deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians “instead of the lies we are currently being fed with”.
Gyang lamented the incessant killings and destruction of lives and property across the nation, and promised a better deal for Nigerians if his party was elected into office.
Rep Edward Pwajok, who recently defected to the PDP from the APC, in a remark, declared that Plateau people were already tired of the APC and were anxiously waiting to replace it with the PDP.