By: Felix Ikpotor
Chairman of Gokana local council in Rivers State, Confidence Nyima Deko has pledged to do all within his power to ameliorate the sufferings of ex-servicemen in his council.
Deko made the pledge at an event marking the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in the area.
The council boss noted that the soldiers lost their lives in fighting to secure the country so it’s right that they should be honoured.
Responding to demands by the legionaries, Deko said, “You made a few demands of us here concerning stipends, I shall speak with the legislative arm and the principal officers to see what we can do in that regard but be rest assured that we will do that which is reasonable so as not to allow you die just like that”.
“God willing, we shall takecare of the ones we can do. We have also heard your cry over unpaid arrears, we will take the message to the appropriate quarters,” he said.
Earlier, Assistant Corps Commandant Joseph Gboro (rtd), leader of legionaries in Gokana, in his speech noted that some widows of the fallen heroes have been rendered beggars since their bread winners left them.
He regretted that no one cares about the loved ones they left behind despite paying the supreme sacrifice for the country.
Gboro called for generous donations towards the legionaries’ scholarship scheme in the state.
He commended the chairman for restoring peace in Gokana local government under his short stay in office and his infrastructural transformation in the area.
He lamented that: “The monthly pension of some ex-servicemen on parade here is not upto thirty thousand naira, yet Federal Government is owing them”
“24 months pensions arrears of this ex-servicemen are hanging despite paying the supreme price”
In his appeal, he said, “we were formally place on monthly stipends by former council chairman, Late Dumbari Dimkpa, so we humbly appeal that you return us back to that state. We also appeal for empowerment for widows of fallen soldiers.”
