Abia Pensioners’ Discussion board, a strain group below the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Abia State, has lamented the continued delay within the cost of gratuities and pension arrears for retirees within the state, saying that some pensioners have died, fallen sick, or change into homeless due to the scenario.
The group said this in Umuahia on Wednesday whereas talking to journalists, noting that the state authorities was but to implement the report of a committee arrange to overview the crucial matter, even after the report was submitted.
The coordinator of the group, Okey Kanu, who spoke on behalf of the members, reiterated that they are going to by no means forfeit their gratuities and pension arrears to the state authorities, insisting that the cash is their constitutional proper and never a favour from anyone.
Kanu, who described the delay as ‘inordinate,’ stated that the present administration of Governor Alex Otti solely paid ten months of pension arrears amassed between June 2023 and March 2024 with out addressing the excellent arrears inherited from the earlier Abia administration.
The coordinator of the Abia Pensioners’ Discussion board stated it was improper for the state authorities to declare that pensioners voluntarily forfeited their gratuities and pension arrears primarily based on a controversial Memorandum of Settlement with NUP management in Abia.
“With every passing month, extra pensioners fall into worsening well being, melancholy, and, in some circumstances, loss of life with out receiving the reward for his or her 35 years of service or reaching the age of 60 years of service.
“It’s equally an injustice to permit this to proceed,” he stated.
Abia retirees famous that their massive votes contributed immensely to Governor Otti’s victory in 2023, primarily based on his earlier marketing campaign guarantees to clear their unpaid pensions and gratuities if elected.
They, nevertheless, acknowledged the governor’s achievements in infrastructure however careworn that they need to be paid all their entitlements in order that they are often alive to benefit from the infrastructure.
