By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Pensioners in Akwa Ibom have commended Governor Umo Eno for the approval of the increments in pension of those who retired before 2012, describing his action as a great benevolence to weak and elderly citizens.
They have however made a passionate appeal to the state government to start the implementation in arrears in other for thier members to feel the impact of the Governor’s kind gesture.
State Secretary of Nigeria Union of Pensioners,NUP, Obong Cosmos Essien in a statement in Uyo on Sunday said the governor’s action has ended the era of pensioners collecting N1000, N2000 as monthly pension in the state.
“Nigeria Union of Pensioners received the news to implement the payment of N20,000/N15,000 to various groups of pensioners by the end of this month. The union is very grateful to the governor for his benevolence to the weak and maime called pensioners.
“We can call the N20,000 for now minimum pension in lieu of N30,000 minimum wage, this is a product of negotiation that started from the 21-day ultimatum given to former governor Udom Emmanuel and a committee was formed by December 2022.
“The report of the committee came out by May 2023 and the union was ordered by the Head of Service to spread the news that the governor approved the N20,000/N15,000 respectively with effect from April 2023.” The statement said.
Essien however said the pensioners never benefited as the implementation was stalled until the recent intervention of the governor urging him to start with the implementation of the payment of the outstanding arrears of one year.
“Your Excellency, we appeal to you to extend your benevolence to April 2023, which all minds and spirits of all pensioners had already captured.
“This little arrears of one year would help bring many out of the grave which most of them had already been. Please consider the paramount request from your aged parents and friends and God will bless you “.
The statement however recalled that, “in continuation of 2023 report, it was agreed that after the payment, a committee will be set up to work on the Consequential Adjustment in lieu of the N30,000 minimum wage and circular to that effect had been issued to your government.
“While thanking you for a good start that rested the issue of non payment of various percentage increases, we appeal to you to consider the setting of committee for Consequential Adjustment.”
The pensioners also advocated for the establishment of a Pension Board or Bureau for easy administration and handling of pension matters stressing that the creation would help the government manage pension matters with ease.
