…tells State governors to do same
By SULE TAHIR, Dutse.
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), has called on the Federal government to ensure that all pensioners in Nigeria are not left out in the fuel subsidy removal palliatives’ arrangement.
The Senior Citizens warn that excluding even a single retiree in the plan for palliative provision will be an act of wickedness against the most vulnerable group in the country.
According to NUP National President and General Secretary, Mazi Godwin Abumisi and Elder Actor Zal, respectively, who spoke to Newsmen, the Pensioners’ union is aware that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal government has already prioritized pensioners’ welfare.
However, the union urges the President to ensure that pensioners are not short-changed for any reason in all his efforts to provide dividend of democracy to Nigerians.
“Because of the severe hardship Nigerians are experiencing right now due to certain economic realities, we are geared to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that pensioners’ welfare are given utmost priority. We know that the current administration has already prioritized our welfare and is determined not to leave pensioners behind in its quest to provide dividend of democracy. However, we need to remind the Federal and State governments that it is constitutionally required that pension be reviewed alongside workers’ salaries increase.
Unequivocally, NUP said that both the Federal and State governments do need a flashback moment to remember the sacrifices the Senior Citizens made to get the country where it is today, or be told the prevalent health issues and how difficult it has been for them to pay for the high cost of healthcare services. Therefore their interest must be prioritized in the plans for the provision of palliatives.
Furthermore, the Pensioners’ union in stronger terms demand that government should commence upward review of pensions in pari-passu with the ongoing workers’ salaries increase, adding that pensioners will accept nothing less.
“Our anticipation is already high and we are eager to hear the good news of upward review of our pensions. We do not expect the government to treat us as second-hand citizens by refusing to review pensions alongside workers’ salaries.
“Currently, the level of vulnerability of the retired old men and women Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised. Sickness and economic hardship take tolls on us and our hope of staying alive is on the government doing the right thing. Therefore, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all the 36 State governors to place premium on welfare and wellbeing of pensioners in the ongoing plans for palliatives and review of salaries. This means that pensions review should be in the centre stage of the actions.
“We appreciate the Federal government’s steadfastness in payment of monthly pensions and arrears. We equally appreciate PTAD for carrying out satisfactorily the role government gave it by ensuring that pension administration in Nigeria is progressively better. We urge the Directorate to do more. However, we ask the State governors to put human face in discharging their duties especially in regards to payment of pensions. Treat pensioners with dignity and respect by paying their pensions duly and promptly. How can a governor justify whatever reasons he may have for not paying his old men and women under his watch their pensions. So we urge the State governors to govern humanely.”
