Shocking: Hungry Pensioner Dies While Waiting To Be Screened In Edo

Pensioners in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State were outraged yesterday following the death of one of their colleagues, identified as Sunday Oboite during screening of pensioners at

the council secretariat.

The 75-year-old man was said to have slumped at the reception of the council.

He was said to have taken Viju milk and water provided by a Good Samaritan after complaining of hunger for several hours.

His death caused pandemonium among the council workers as they crowded the reception to catch a glimpse of his corpse.

Late Sunday was said to have worked in the works department of the council before he retired.

He was at the council secretariat for a screening exercise, which the council directed the pensioners to undertake before they would be paid their 10 months pension arrears.

It was gathered that when the pensioners

presented themselves for screening at the

secretariat at 8a.m, they were informed to go to Urhokpota Hall which is about 100 meters away.

Late Oboite was said to have been unable to go to Urhokpota Hall with his colleagues but choose to wait at the reception due to hunger.

Secretary of Oredo Pensioners Association, James Erhunmense, said Oboite came to the screening venue alone and complained of not having any money to buy food and drugs.

Oboite slumped at about 1:20p.m. and doctors at the council confirmed him dead but at about 3p.m, his corpse was yet to be removed.

Two ambulances that were called did not take the corpse because the council could not raise funds to pay.

There was chaos at the screening venue when THISDAY visited the Urhokpota Hall.

At about 4p.m., only five pensioners had been screened while many others were seen sitting on the floor apparently tired and exhausted.

The pensioners said the computers broke down and that the officials brought chairs for them to sit after the death of their colleague.

Other pensioners sitting in the sun waiting to be screened.

According to James, “Oboite said he had no money to buy food and medicine. For 10 months now we have not been paid. Many others have died without collecting their pension benefits.”

Another pensioner, Omorogbe James, said the computers used for the screening were always

shutting down.

He said the death of Obotie was avoidable if the council officials had prepared for the screening exercise.

Chairman of the council, Mrs. Sweet Ikpomwosa, could not be reached for comments as she was said not to be in the office.

Source: THISDAY