Pensioners decry non-payment of gratuities

By Mary Agidi
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The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Southwest Zone has decried the non-payment of gratituities for Pensioners since 2008 till  date, and vowed to approach the court of competent jurisdiction to that effect.

 Addressing newsmen after its meeting in Akure, through the union Zonal spokesperson, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, NUP described the attitude of the state governors towards their welfare as wicked, while commending the federal government for prompt payment of pension allowance.

The union called on the current administration in Nigeria to look into the huge salary and allowances received by federal lawmakers and place them on minimum wage based on grade level.

NUP also appealed to governors to make the N30, 000 minimum wage, the minimum pension allowance for pensioners, and look inward to generate revenue internally in order to meet up with financial challenges.

The union members expressed their support for the local government autonomy, and disagreed with the proposal for life pension for lawmakers.

“We discovered that non-payment of gratuity to pensioners, not only in Southwest, has become the traditions of Nigeria Governors to the extent that pensioners are not paid since 2008 through 2019. It has become a very serious affairs.

“Pensions are not also paid as and when due, to this effect, the Southwest caucus of Nigeria Union of Pensioners has decided to test certain part of the Nigerian constitution in a competent law court.

“Another issue is the quest for lawmakers to want to collect pension for life. It is disdainful, wicked, and self-centred.