Pensioners Still Collect N2,000 Monthly

• NLC, Senate, Labour Minister Lament Pathetic Condition
• NUP Plans Protest To Presidency On Friday
• Consequential Adjustment To Pension Long Overdue ― Labour
Minister

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba
Wabba, the President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr Abel
Afolayan, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris
Ngige and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and
Public Service, Ibrahim Shekarau, on Wednesday lamented the
pathetic condition of Nigeria pensioners, many of whom were still
collecting as low as N2,000 per month especially at the state
level.

Speaking at the 11th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference
of NUP, in Abuja, they all unanimously resolved to work and if
necessary fight for the review of the Pension Act.

In his speech, Comrade Wabba lamented that many of the
pensioners, most especially at the state level were still
collecting N2,000 monthly, warning that corruption in Nigeria
cannot be wished away in a situation like this.

The NLC said: “That is why the issue of corruption in our system
cannot be wished away, people would want to help themselves because
they work for many years and when it is time to retire, there would
be nothing to rely on for tomorrow.

“As we speak, even the minimum pension that is accommodated in
our constitution has not been reviewed. We have a situation in some
states, pensioners are collecting N2,000 as a monthly pension, even
that has not been paid. As we speak in some states, they still
treat their pensioners as lepers.”

He cited examples of Imo State where he said more than 40 per
cent of the pensioners have not been enrolled, adding, “I am
calling on the state governments, including the Federal Government
to prioritize the payment of the benefits of pensioners, it is
their right, their earnings.”

He pointed out that payment or non-payment of pension was not
about resources but priority, saying that most of the states that
are paying are not those with the best resources.

He also cited examples of Borno who released N12 billion for the
payment of gratuities up to 2020 and Jigawa State, adding that “we
have many states that the liabilities stand at trillions of Naira
and the governors were not doing anything about it.”

Also, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Ngige said
the Federal Government is mindful of their sacrifice and
contributions to the Nigeria project.

He also acknowledged that the consequential adjustment to the
pension of Nigerian pensioners since 2019 had been long
overdue.

He said, “Distinguished Senior Citizens, Permit me to use this
opportunity to inform you that the Federal Government is mindful of
your sacrifices and contributions to the Nigerian project and is
committed to taking necessary steps to address issues that border
on improving your welfare.

“In this regard, my ministry has decided to take the lead on the
lingering issue of consequential adjustment to the pension of
Nigerian pensioners which had been overdue since 2019 when the new
Minimum Wage Act was signed into law by Mr President. In this
regard therefore we are hopeful that working with other Agencies of
Government, there would be some light at the end of the
tunnel.”

Also speaking, the NUP President, Dr Afolayan said the
pensioners would be protesting nationwide over the failure of local
government to release the circular and commence implementation of
the consequential adjustment.

Besides, he said the government has failed to approved the
upward review of pensions following the national minimum wage
increase, despite the fact that the report of the joint committee
that worked on the review has been submitted since last year to the
presidency.

He said the protest will commence on Friday in Abuja to the
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Senator Shakarau, said it is unacceptable for people to have
served for several years and be given less attention, adding that
law must be enacted and supported by both executive and legislature
at all level to ensure that the rights of pensioners must be
respected.

He stated that the National Assembly has commenced the process
to review the Pension Act, adding that both committees of the
National Assembly, the National Pension Commission and other
related government agencies will be visiting the states to ensure
that the letters of the Pension Act are adhered to and obey.

• NLC, Senate, Labour Minister Lament Pathetic Condition
• NUP Plans Protest To Presidency On Friday
• Consequential Adjustment To Pension Long Overdue ― Labour
Minister

The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba
Wabba, the President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr Abel
Afolayan, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris
Ngige and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and
Public Service, Ibrahim Shekarau, on Wednesday lamented the
pathetic condition of Nigeria pensioners, many of whom were still
collecting as low as N2,000 per month especially at the state
level.

Speaking at the 11th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference
of NUP, in Abuja, they all unanimously resolved to work and if
necessary fight for the review of the Pension Act.

In his speech, Comrade Wabba lamented that many of the
pensioners, most especially at the state level were still
collecting N2,000 monthly, warning that corruption in Nigeria
cannot be wished away in a situation like this.

The NLC said: “That is why the issue of corruption in our system
cannot be wished away, people would want to help themselves because
they work for many years and when it is time to retire, there would
be nothing to rely on for tomorrow.

“As we speak, even the minimum pension that is accommodated in
our constitution has not been reviewed. We have a situation in some
states, pensioners are collecting N2,000 as a monthly pension, even
that has not been paid. As we speak in some states, they still
treat their pensioners as lepers.”

He cited examples of Imo State where he said more than 40 per
cent of the pensioners have not been enrolled, adding, “I am
calling on the state governments, including the Federal Government
to prioritize the payment of the benefits of pensioners, it is
their right, their earnings.”

He pointed out that payment or non-payment of pension was not
about resources but priority, saying that most of the states that
are paying are not those with the best resources.

He also cited examples of Borno who released N12 billion for the
payment of gratuities up to 2020 and Jigawa State, adding that “we
have many states that the liabilities stand at trillions of Naira
and the governors were not doing anything about it.”

Also, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Ngige said
the Federal Government is mindful of their sacrifice and
contributions to the Nigeria project.

He also acknowledged that the consequential adjustment to the
pension of Nigerian pensioners since 2019 had been long
overdue.

He said, “Distinguished Senior Citizens, Permit me to use this
opportunity to inform you that the Federal Government is mindful of
your sacrifices and contributions to the Nigerian project and is
committed to taking necessary steps to address issues that border
on improving your welfare.

“In this regard, my ministry has decided to take the lead on the
lingering issue of consequential adjustment to the pension of
Nigerian pensioners which had been overdue since 2019 when the new
Minimum Wage Act was signed into law by Mr President. In this
regard therefore we are hopeful that working with other Agencies of
Government, there would be some light at the end of the
tunnel.”

Also speaking, the NUP President, Dr Afolayan said the
pensioners would be protesting nationwide over the failure of local
government to release the circular and commence implementation of
the consequential adjustment.

Besides, he said the government has failed to approved the
upward review of pensions following the national minimum wage
increase, despite the fact that the report of the joint committee
that worked on the review has been submitted since last year to the
presidency.

He said the protest will commence on Friday in Abuja to the
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Senator Shakarau, said it is unacceptable for people to have
served for several years and be given less attention, adding that
law must be enacted and supported by both executive and legislature
at all level to ensure that the rights of pensioners must be
respected.

He stated that the National Assembly has commenced the process
to review the Pension Act, adding that both committees of the
National Assembly, the National Pension Commission and other
related government agencies will be visiting the states to ensure
that the letters of the Pension Act are adhered to and obey.