From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo
As the local government autonomy law comes into force, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Akwa Ibom State council, has made a case for effective implementation of the new grassroots policy as it affects retired civil servants’ gratuities and pensions.
Rising from their enlarged executive meeting in Uyo, the state capital, the aggrieved pensioners solicited for audience with the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, “to discuss the issue of autonomy to LGA, as it affects the payment of: monthly pension and gratuity to avoid what happened during the previous autonomy of 1990 and subsequently.
The communique after the meeting, endorsed by the NUP State Chairman, Obong E.E. Ekpo; the secretary, Obong Cosmas Essien, and other NUP affiliate leaders, also made a passionate appeal to the governor to “consider establishment of Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Pension as it exist in other South-South states”.
“The Bureau should be under a Chairman, including civil pensioners department, local government department, and the retired primary school teachers’ ,department, which they noted, “will assist immensely during this era of financial autonomy for local government councils”.
While expressing gratitude to the Governor for his benevolence to all retired pensioners in off setting backlog of gratuities so far since coming on board in 2023, pledged their support.
They listed the welfare intervention package to the retirees to include smooth payment of monthly pension, establishing and payment of N20,000 minimum pension in lieu of N30,000 minimum wage.
“Having the courage to release up to N28 billion to liquidate accumulated gratuities indebtedness, agreeing to pay N32,000 into pension at the end of this month in lieu of N70,000 minimum wage to all pensioners in the state and always being there for pensioners whenever we call on him, we are very grateful for the gesture”, they noted.
The executive committee further appealed to the governor to consider the plight of the old people during this austere economy as drugs for survival are expensive beyond the financial capabilities of the aged.
“Your Excellency, please we are making a passionate appeal for you to consider paying consequential adjustment as stipulated by the Salary and Wages Commission, SWC, on circular number: SWC/3/04/S./542/II/296, consider payment of 20 percent pension review as set by the SWC on circular number SWC/S/04/S.542/II/449.
“The Executive Council calls on His Excellency to grant us an audience with him on Tuesday 28th January, 2025 in his office to discuss the issue of autonomy to LGA as it affects the payment of monthly pension and gratuity to avoid what happened during the previous autonomy in 1990 and forward”, the communique submitted.
