…Demands Living Pensions
Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has lamented that some retirees still earn as low as N1500 pension, demanding urgent review to give pensioners living pensions against the hard times.
NUP expressed the pain at its South -South zonal forum in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state where it highlighted the growing hardship members are going through with present state of the nation’s economy.
File photo: Pensioners on queue
In a communique released yesterday at the end of the gathering, the NUP however praised Governor Umo Eno of Akwa lbom for releasing 14Billion within nine months in office for hanging payment of gratuities to retired Primary School Teachers, Civil Pensioners and Local Government retirees.
The communique signed by William Seleipere and Obong Cosmas Essien, Zonal Chairman and Secretary respectively read, “The South-South Council observed with dismay that some pensioners are still earning N1,500, N2,000, N3,000 and therefore urge all State Governments to harmonize increment on low-income earning pensioners.
“We also observed that most of the communiques issued at the end of our meetings are not attended to by State Governments to ameliorate the plight of pensioners. We call on all NUP State Councils to reach out to different State Governments to ensure implementation of most of our recommendations.”
They appealed to Akwa Ibom State Government to establish a Pension Commission, Board or Bureau to handle subtle issues of pensioners in the state.
The forum rejected the idea of merging the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) with the Federal Ministry o Finance, stressing that the good works of PTAD in the interest of pensioners was being appreciated.
The body called on all State Governors to include pensioners in their palliatives schemes while appreciating States Governors that have done same already.
Earlier during deliberations on the forum, Amuboh Orhoghene, Akwa ibom state Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment pledged his ministry’s consultation with the Union and other stakeholders for continued push for review of all relevant Labour laws to improve welfare of Pensioners and other workers in Nigeria.
“May I also advice that the tripartite mantra of mutual respect and consultation should continually remain the basis for a peaceful relationship between union and its social partners” he added.
VANGUARD
