By Ogenyi Ogenyi ,Uyo
Worried about the delay in payment of their pension, the enlarged meeting of retired Primary School teachers and their next of kin have strongly appealed Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom not to allow the issue of Local Government autonomy to affect the payment of entitlements off retired and serving Primary School Teachers in the state.
The group in an 8-point resolution arrived at during an enlarged meeting held in Uyo over the weekend maintained that a situation where pension is paid from 21st of a new month is an unwholesome development as it has adverse effects on the well beings of the retirees and should be discontinued
The session in a statement endorsed by Rev Felix Cookey Chairman and Mr Emmanuel Udoaka as Secretary decried the non-implementation of the N32,000 minimum pension to pensioners in the state.
It said some of the retirees were rt to be paid for three months and implored the government to conduct the necessary verification without further delay for the interest of the aged people.
“The meeting in-session showed a heartfelt appreciation to the government for the paying of 7.5% pension contribution to the contributors and requested the Government to increase the number of Local Government Area per batch to ten”.
” We observed the continuous withholding of unpaid pension arrears as very harmful to the affected retirees. It was noted that these people retired within the last administration and have suffered from great hardship for good ten years and above now with ten months and above unpaid pension arrears.
“We appeal on our Passionate Governor to alleviate the sufferings of these people who have been legitimately calling on the Government since 2015. It was noted that only Primary School Retirees that are owed unpaid pension arrears in this state.
” We also noted with dismay none payment of 2013 and 2014 leave grant respectively. And pleaded with the Governor for intervention.
” We the Retired School Teachers and the next of kin once again thanked the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (PhD) for the love, care and supports given to teachers retirees and indeed all Pensioners in the State.
“The meeting in-session having critically observed the Governor’s goodwill towards the plights of Retired Teachers (Living and Late) had unanimously moved a vote of Implicit Confidence on him the Executive Governor and pledged an unflinching support to his administration. It said.
They also resolved to support his future political aspiration come 2027 while appreciating the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, and the Head of Civil Service, Mr Effiong Essien for showing great concern on Retired Primary School Teacher issues.
