The Pensioner Bondholders Forum has threatened to resume picketing the Ministry of Finance to further press home its demand for the payment of all coupons and principals in arrears, and an end to payment delays.

This follows what it describes as the government failure to pay outstanding coupons to it members, as promised.

In a statement, it said “we wish to state however, that if our requests are not met by 29th May 2023, we shall be left with no other option than to resume picketing the Ministry to further press home our demand for the payment of all coupons and principals in arrears”.

It furthered that “in our letter of May 15, 2023 to the Ministry to confirm the suspension [picketing], we requested that the Ministry starts immediate engagement with us and reach an agreement on the payment of all outstanding principals very quickly, and in any case not later than 19th May 2023. We made it clear that should the Ministry renege on any of the agreed points, we shall resume picketing the Ministry”.

Additionally, it said “we wish to put on record that the Ministry has not carried out fully what we had accepted, which is that: (i). the Ministry gave instruction for the payment of outstanding coupons up to 8th May 2023, and left out the coupons due on 15th May 2023; (ii). We have not received any indication of the payment of a coupon due today, 22nd May 2023; and (iii). The Ministry has failed/refused to meet and reach an agreement with us on the payment of all outstanding principals to pensioners”.

Consequently, the Forum pointed out that it has requested the Ministry to ensure the immediate payment of the outstanding coupons due on May 15 and 22, 2023, adding, it want an immediate engagement with the Finance Ministry to reach an agreement on the payment of all outstanding principals.

“We believe we have shown much goodwill to the Ministry and trust that the Ministry will reciprocate by working on our requests without any delay”, it concluded.