Socio-economic activities in Osogbo, the Osun state capital was on Wednesday morning disrupted as pensioners in the state took to major streets across the state capital in protest.

The protest by the retirees was to show their displeasure and anger over the continuous non-payment of their gratuities by the state government.

The pensioners in their numbers had gathered as early as 6AM at the former Fakunle High School where they held a prayer session before embarking on the day’s task.

The aggrieved retirees, comprising of the 2011/2012 Osun State Retirees’ Forum, began their protest by trekking to major points in the state capital chanting various anti-government songs to register their grievances.

They marched through popular areas like Old Garage, Olaiya, MDS road, Okefia, Alekuwodo before returning to the Olaiya roundabout. Vehicular movement as well as commercial activities in the area were suspended for more than three hours.

According to the Chairman of 2011/12 Osun Retirees’ Forum, Ilesanmi Omoniyi, apart from their gratuities, government is still owing them pension arrears of more than 10 months.

He said, living for the retirees who are mostly aged, has not been easy due to the non-payment of their entitlements, adding that more than 1,000 members of the union have lost their lives, while many are bedridden.

The retirees also threatened to disrupt peace, law and order in the state if the state government fails to pay their dues on time.

The senior citizens also alleged that the bailout fund given to Osun state by the federal government for the payment of workers’ salary and pensions had been diverted by the state government.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Head of Service, Sunday Owoeye, told Channels Television that the state government had met its obligation to many of the retirees until the recession.

He said that just like all workers in the state, local government and primary school pensioners have been paid up to August 2016 while same goes for the pensioners of the state government.

According to him, the arrangement is that pensioners earning below 20,000 naira are paid in full, while those earning above 20,000 naira are paid 50%.