The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pensioners

  • Electricity pensioners expels ex-chairman,six others

    The Electricity sector branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has expelled its former National Chairman, Chief Temple Ubani and six others from membership of the union and asked all relevant government agencies to stop deducting and remitting their check off.
    The others expelled at the Special National Delegates Conference are Comrade P.I Ogedengbe, Com. MZA Alkadaiyah, Comrade Abibu Otuas, Comrade Isa Olarewaju, Comrade M.G Yerima and Comrade G.E Njoku.
    In a communique signed by secretary of the branch, Elder Alex Abu and made available to The Nation, the union also elected Alh. Idi Bawa Gaidam as the new chairman to steer its affairs of the union.
    Others elected include chief Ebenezer Jebutu, (Deputy Chairman), Com. Zechariah Usman (Treasurer), Aborishade Balogun (Auditor), Com. Benjamin Bodamisi (V/Chairman North Central), Com. Bakare  Mustapha (V/Chairman North East), Com. Babs Ileasu (V/Chairman North West), Com. Nzekwe Ikenna
    (V/Chairman South East), Com. Adodo M. Andrews (V/Chairman South South), Com. Bashorun Ayoola (V/Chairman South West), Com. Rotimi Abolaji (Public Relations) while Com. Mariam Usman and Com. Samuel Efetobor will serve as trustees.
    Speaking at the conference, National President of the NUP, Dr. Abel Afolayan commended the caretaker committee brought in to rescue the situation in the union for rising up to the occasion and providing quality leadership to the sector.
    He said “They have done well; the National Headquarters is proud of you.  History and posterity will never forget you”.
    The President charged the incoming elected officers to continue where the committee stopped, do even better, and keep the flag flying by ensuring greater unity among members, transparency and accountability at all times.

  • Excited Enugu workers, pensioners celebrate Ugwuanyi

    THERE was excitement in Enugu State as workers and pensioners converged on the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu to mark the 2018 Workers’ Day celebration, where they celebrated Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s achievements.

    The excited public and civil servants and retirees, including private workers, through the addresses presented separately by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Virginus Nwobodo, represented by his deputy, Comrade Maurice Eze and his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, eulogised Ugwuanyi for his “exemplary leadership style” and “labour-friendly disposition”.

    They stated that the governor’s friendly disposition to their welfare was “the first of its kind since the inception of this state.

    The workers and retirees reiterated their stance on the earlier endorsement of Ugwuanyi’s re-election in 2019.

    According to the workers, “the reason for the clamour for continuity is based on the outstanding performances of your excellency.”

    They highlighted the remarkable achievements as “prompt payment of monthly salaries/pensions, other allowances to state public and civil servants; absorption of 54 per cent of total cost of 100 housing units at Elim Estate allocated to workers; payment of outstanding arrears of salaries/pensions/allowances to local government staff, through prudent utilisation of 100 per cent of local governments share of the Paris Club refunds; promotion of teachers and recruitment of over 4,000 school teachers as well as elongation of terminal grade of qualified primary school teachers to level 16”.

    Ugwuanyi, who felicitated with the workers, also joined them in the celebration.

    He said: “We are here to commemorate the sacrifices and contributions of the Nigerian workers to the development of the nation and particularly, to express our solidarity and sincere gratitude to the great workers of Enugu State”.

     

     

  • Pensioners plan to establish hospital

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners will establish a hospital to take care of the medical needs of members and their relations, National President of the union, Dr. Abel Afolayan, has stated.

    Afolayan spoke as Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Barrister Sharon Ikeazor, announced talks with the National Health Insurance Scheme to capture pensioners in the health insurance scheme.

    Retired workers are automatically removed from the health insurance scheme but PTAD is of the view that the pensioners need the Scheme more in retirement in view of their frailties.

    The union president, who spoke in Abuja, said when established the hospital will provide comprehensive health coverage for members and their families as well as other unions and Nigerians.

    He said the union is also planning to establish a radio and television station to easily reach out to members and serve as a pressure tool to constantly engage the government and enlighten members if the public on pension matters.

    He sought the assistance of development partners and other stakeholders in actualising the projects, which he said will be of immense benefit to members of the union and their families.

    Ikeazor said it was out of place for retirees to be removed from the National Health Insurance Scheme.

  • Bail us out of hardship, pensioners beg Akeredolu

    Pensioners in Ondo State, particularly those of local government areas, yesterday decried the alleged non-payment of their five-month pension allowance and gratuity from 2011 till date.

    At an annual get-together for retired primary school teachers in Akure South Local Government Area in Akure, the state capital, the local government’s chairman of Retired Primary School Teachers Mr E. K. Aribigbola said arrears of 15 per cent increase paid to state pensioners in 2012 had not been paid to them.

    He expressed displeasure that despite efforts by the state’s NUP, the government had not regularly paid members’ entitlement.

    Aribigbola said NUP members, through the union executive, were enjoying free monthly blood and weight check with physical education.

    The secretary, Teniola Olu, pleaded for government attention on the welfare of local government pensioners.

    He said many pensioners had died without getting their gratuities, after 35 years of stewardship.

    The state’s NUP chairman, Chief R. A. Adetuwo, also expressed concern about the plight of the pensioners.

    He sought an opportunity to meet Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to enable pensioners dialogue with him on their predicament and the way out.

    The chairman lauded the improvement in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and retreat with government functionaries, but regretted that many workers were not faithful to revenue generation for the government.

    On behalf of the government, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters, Alaba Isijola, noted that restructuring of the country was the only recipe to end poor allocations to states and local governments.

    According to him, it is not deliberate for the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration not to pay pensioners’ allowances.

    He blamed the delay on dwindling allocation from the Federal Government.

    Isijola said: “The situation here is circumstantial. Until we restructure the country and there is an increment in state and local government allocations, the problem will persist.

    “Let us continue to pray that the country is restructured from its present situation.

  • Over 25,000 pensioners not on Fed Govt payroll

    More than 25,000 pensioners are still excluded from the Federal Government’s payroll of retirees, according to the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).

    Lagos Chapter Chairman of NUP, Joseph Dele, told reporters that the affected pensioners were not among over 300,000 paid under Defined Benefits Scheme and Contributory Pension Scheme.

    The NUP urged Federal Government to mandate the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to conduct verification exercise for the affected pensioners to enable them get gratuities for their long years of service.

    He described allegations that officials of the union were involved in pension fund scam as an excuse not to pay NUP members excluded from the payroll system.

    “The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alleged that the pension fraud was perpetrated by public officials with the active connivance of NUP, Association of Federal Public Service Retirees, among others.

    “NUP did not collude with anyone to list 16,238 ghost pensioners to siphon N839 million to fictitious pensioners monthly.

    “Over 25,000 and not 16,238 members were still excluded on the payroll.

    “They are not fictitious pensioners as claimed by the AGF and as we speak they are not on federal government payroll,” he said.

    Dele explained that only one per cent of monthly pensioners’ fund was remitted to the NUP secretariat for maintainance and other ad-hocs services.

  • Abia teachers, pensioners to be paid on Wed

    Abia teachers, pensioners to be paid on Wed

    The Abia State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi, has promised teachers and pensioners they would get their salaries and pension arrears on Wednesday.

    Okiyi, who didn’t mention the number of months to be paid, said the government thanked workers for their positive contributions to the success recorded by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration.

    A statement by him reads: “In the spirit of transparency, and in furtherance of the need to truthfully inform our people at all times, permit me to state as follows:

    – We battled through the bureaucracy and exigencies of banking to ensure that salaries and pensions were paid latest on December 22 to all government workers.

    -All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) got their November salary, with at least six MDAs receiving their December salary before the close of business last Friday.

    -The relevant banks received necessary documentations for the payment of December salary to the outstanding MDAs, but couldn’t complete the process before the close of business last Friday.

    -Teachers were to be paid with others, but necessary documentations were completed late last Friday.

    -We, therefore, expect teachers and pensioners to get their salaries on Wednesday, with other MDAs yet to get theirs.

    -Further payments will be made to teachers and pensioners as we begin the disbursement of the third tranche of the Paris Club refund.

    -We apologise for the inability to complete the payment processes as instructed by Governor Ikpeazu, and assure workers that everything will be done to ensure they are paid on the said dates.

    -Meanwhile, local governments received necessary funds to pay workers last Thursday, and we are monitoring the payment situation.

    -A full brief on the status of compliance with the governor’s instruction will be issued on Thursday. Thank You.”

  • Edo to pay 200 pensioners arrears

    Edo State government is to pay the arrears of nearly 200 pensioners after the December 20 and 21 physical and documentary verification for Batch 39 of pensioners, at Imaguero College Hall, Benin City.

    In a statement by the Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Pension Bureau, I.D.S. Juwobor, on behalf of the Head of Service, the government said “the exercise is in continuation of the ongoing payment of pension arrears to government pensioners.”

    He urged pensioners in Batch 39 to present themselves for “physical and documentary verification at Imaguero College Hall, Benin City, on December 20 and 21.”

    Juwobor said the announcement also served to notify pensioners in batches 37 and 38, who failed to participate in the verification held on December 6 and 7 to take advantage of the December 20 and 21 exercise alongside those in Batch 39.

    He said the list of pensioners in batches 37, 38 and 39 will be pasted at the office of the Head of Service today and tomorrow, noting that the required documents for the exercise include “pension authority, retirement letter, letter of first appointment, pension ID card, biometric slip, bank details including bank name and account number.”

    “Upon conclusion of the verification, the arrears will be credited into the pension account of each pensioner, without delay, after due process and documentation,” he added.

    The Governor Godwin Obaseki administration had adopted a phased approach in the payment of pension arrears, which the state had reduced to N3.9 billion from N10 billion.

  • Pensioners endorse Tambuwal

    Pensioners endorse Tambuwal

    PEnsioners in Sokoto State have urged Governor Aminu Tambuwal to seek re-election in 2019, promising to support him.

    They are appreciating the governor for paying their about N4 billion arrears.

    Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Umaru Abubakar, who addressed reporters at the 2017 Pensioners’ Day, said despite the financial crisis, the government paid the accumulated and inherited gratuities and pension to state and council retirees.

    According to him, the union will buy the nomination form for Tambuwal.

    He said: “The regular payment of our entitlement and arrears has made Sokoto one of the states, which prioritise the welfare of pensioners.

    “Members of the union have resolved to ask Tambuwal to seek a second term in view of his commitment to our welfare. These were achieved following the governor’s faith and belief in the Hadith of the Holy Prophet that admonishes Muslims to pay workers before their sweat dried up.”

  • Pensioners urge Ambode to pay arrears, others

    Pensioners in Lagos State have urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to pay their arrears and pay attention to their requests.

    They addressed reporters yesterday in Surulere, Lagos, to celebrate this year’s Pensioners’ Day.

    The Chairman of Lagos State Council of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Elder Oluremi Johnson said pensioners were asking for the 25 per cent short-payments and complete harmonisation that would correct the anomalies arising from undeserved monthly pensions occasioned by different cadres of retirements.

    He said: “We are awaiting the payment of the arrears from the monthly payments of the six per cent of Year 2003 and 15 per cent of Year 2007. We are expecting the payment of the Lagos State 33 per cent, which the Federal Government has already paid. We are also demanding that pensions should be increased.

    “Pensioners, this year, are due for an increase, as the last increase was made in Year 2010. The government should pay a blockage of arrears of retirement benefits and implement our constitutional rights. Pension should be reviewed every five years or whenever wages of workers are reviewed. We should be given appropriate medical treatments, appointed into government positions and welfare packages.

    “We are seeking donations from the state government for office accommodation to save the union the huge annual payment of a rented apartment. It is only Lagos State that does not have pensioners’ union’s secretariat in the whole of the federation. We are also requesting for a utility vehicle for the union for daily official assignments.”

    The union’s immediate past chairman, Alhaji Nojeem Ibrahim, regretted that pensioners in Lagos State were the least paid across the federation with no minimum wage to pensioners.

    He said: “We have spent most of our years working for government and yet we have no pension. The cost of living is high in Lagos and things are expensive, compared to other states. We are begging government to come to our aid and help us. Our children have graduated, but they have no jobs. They have no money to take care of us; they still come back to us to ask for money.

    “Lagos pensioners are suffering. The government should pay our pension as at when due and settle the backlog. Lagos is the most buoyant state in the country, yet pensioners in the state are the least respected across the federation.”

     

     

  • Obaseki meets pensioners, reduces arrears by N6bn

    Obaseki meets pensioners, reduces arrears by N6bn

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government has paid off N6billion of the N10 billion pension arrears that accumulated between 1996 and 2000.

    Obaseki, who met with pensioners in the state on Monday to commemorate the 16th Annual National Pensioners’ Day at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Benin City, said the N3.9billion arrears backlog would be cleared before December 2018.

    He said that the arrears accumulated between 1996 to 2000 and the state government has been clearing them in batches, adding, “For state pensioners, we set aside N100 million monthly to address the balance of about N3.9 billion. We will increase this amount as the state revenue profile increases.”

    He explained that when his administration came on board, local government councils were unable to pay pensions, hence the state put up measures to enable them generate revenue, which, he said, is gradually yielding positive results.

    “We didn’t want to have challenges in the payment of pension anymore. So, we moved from the old system to the contributory pension scheme. You have a governor who understands the pension problem and the only way to resolve this problem is for us to work together,” he said.

    On Paris Club refunds, the governor said the state and local government councils got the fund, which was used to pay salaries and pension arrears.

    The State Chairman of Nigeria Union Pensioners (NUP), Mr Pullen Noruwa, commended the governor for attending the event and setting up an 8-man committee to address pension matters in the state.

    Noruwa, however, appealed to the governor to increase the N100 million set aside for the payment of pension arrears on monthly basis to expedite action on the settlement of outstanding arrears.