BENUE State Governor Samuel Ortom has directed the state Head of Service to commence documentation of retirees of the 23 local councils of the state from 2009 to 2014, without delay, to enable them start benefiting from their pension benefits.

Ortom gave the directive while addressing the Coalition of Local Governments Retirees yet to be placed on pension who marched on a peaceful protest to the Government House, Makurdi.

The governor explained that the documentation would enable his administration to enlist the retirees for subsequent payment of their pension benefits as soon as possible.

He restated his determination to run a transparent government and urged the people of the state to disregard the speculations that his administration has diverted the bailout funds, assuring that any staff of the local councils yet to get their money will be paid as soon as the ongoing verification is over.

While ascribing the rumour to the handiwork of opposition party, who are yet to recover from the last defeat at the general election, Ortom challenged them to bring concrete evidence of any of his appointees involved in graft for necessary action.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Coalition of Local Government Retirees, Mr. Michael Vembeh appealed to the governor that their monthly pensions be paid.

According to Vembeh the money has risen to N83 million for 1315 batch ‘A’ retirees and N60 million for 713 batch ‘B’ retirees.

The Guardian reports that the local councils retirees numbering about 200 marched onto the Governor’s Office with placards chanting protest songs urging Governor Ortom to save them from dying.