By: Emmanuel Abi Couson
Retirees under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Akwa Ibom State Council have appealed to the governor, pastor Umo Eno to include them in the list of those that would receive palliative items as well as the living minimum pension arrangement.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Thursday, the Chairman of NUP, Obong E.D Ekpo said Akwa Ibom state government has not included the NUP in its palliative scheme stressing that most of them are vulnerable, weak and may not have the required energy to pull through, in the current economic hardship.
He also appealed to the state government to honour the directive and approval of the federal government by implementing minimum living pension.
“We want the governor, pastor Umo Eno to know that palliative has not reached the Pensioners and he should do something about it. He should also honour the approval of the Federal Government by implementing the minimum living pension.” He said.
Earlier, the state Secretary of NUP, Obong Cosmas Essien while reading the statement thanked governor Eno for paying the accumulated gratuities to the civil Pensioners up to 2018, Local Government Pensioners to 2014 and Retired Primary School Teachers to 2012.
He urged the governor to impress it on SUBEB to include NUP in the committee for the payment of gratuity to the Retired Primary School Teachers and Next of Kin.
On the recent financial autonomy of the local government, the Secretary appealed to Governor Eno to set up a body or committee which could emanate from the state Pension Commission or Board saddled with the responsibility of controlling direct payment of salaries and pensions to teachers and Local government staff.
Obong Essien emphasized that the commission or board when established would create a channel through which Pensioners can convey their prayers or matters and form a reliable and authentic source of information on issues pertaining to Pensioners to the governor.
“All these departments shall collate all the problem of all Pensioners as related to their department and discuss as a board and find solutions, treat them and His Excellency would only receive a mono report amd not multiple” He noted.
The NUP also appreciated governor Eno for the N20,000 and N15,000 added to all Pensioners up to 2011 who were in low pension base of between N1000 to N5000 and urged him to implement the Consequential Adjustment and 20%Pension preview as per the circular first issued by Salaries and Wages Commission.
