Across Nigeria, state governments regularly conduct such screening exercises during which pensioners are asked to stand in the sun for several hours to verify they are still alive. Pa Obotie, 75, who retired from the works department of the council, had come with his colleagues pensioners to partake in the exercise before they would be paid their 10-month pension arrears.
While waiting at the local government secretariat, however, he slumped and died at about 1.20pm before he was confirmed dead by some doctors at the council. He was said to have been offered a bottle of beverage and some water by a Good Samaritan after he complained of hunger but this was not enough and after he gave up the ghost, his colleagues protested vehemently.
One eyewitness said: “Some of them complained that they had presented themselves for screening at the secretariat at about 8am but were later informed to go to Urhokpota Hall, about 100 metres away. They also decried the delay in the exercise, which took hours before it commenced.”
James Erhunmense, the secretary of Oredo Pensioners Association, said that the late Pa Oboite had arrived at the venue of the exercise alone and complained of not having any money to buy food and drugs. He also said that the late pensioner was unable to go to the designated hall with his colleagues but chose to wait at the reception due to tiredness.
Another pensioner, James Omorogbe, said the computers used for the screening were always shutting down, adding that it took the death of their colleague for the council to provide them with chairs. He said the death of Pa Oboite could have been avoided if the council officials had prepared for the screening.
“Sunday said he had no money to buy food and drugs. For 10 months now, we have not been paid and many others have died without collecting their benefits,” Mr Omorogbe added.
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