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Plight of pensioners

The news report published by Daily Trust on Sunday a week ago about the plight of pensioners made a sad reading. The report catalogued tales…

The news report published by Daily Trust on Sunday a week ago about the plight of pensioners made a sad reading. The report catalogued tales of woes that had befallen the nation’s retired public servants.

According to the report, many pensioners across the states have not been paid for between two to 10 years. The report said as pension remains unpaid, pensioners cannot fend for themselves. They are left with no money to buy food, clothing or pay school fees for their children.

They have, therefore, become susceptible to all kinds of diseases including high blood pressure and diabetes, yet no money to buy drugs or pay hospital bills. Many are frail and sick and as such cannot engage in any kind of gainful activity. They are in tatters and indistinguishable from the beggars on the streets. Thousands have died while waiting for the pensions.

The monthly pension for especially teachers could be as low as N9,000 per month in some states, yet it is not paid regularly. Pensions remain low because of the inability of the authorities to raise the amount any time there is a salary increase or adjustment.

While their suffering continues, they are made to go through endless verification exercises, which is another subterfuge for delays or even non-payment of pensions. One of the pensioners in Cross Rivers State said she had gone through verifications nine times.

Chairman of the Gombe State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Malam Muhammad Abubakar, said members were owed gratuities for over nine years and that over 700 local government retirees who left the service over two years ago were yet to be enlisted into the payroll.

It is common knowledge that state governments grapple with the payment of pension because of huge arrears. Benue, for example, had accumulated arrears of N68.195 billion between 2015 and October 2020 or 63 per cent of the 2020 budget of N108 billion.

Though Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Information and Orientation, James Uloko, said the government had paid N25.465 billion as of October 2020, there is still a balance of N42.273 billion outstanding.

In Osun State, many retired civil servants said they depend on alms since they have not received their pension since 2016. Some of them who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday said their children were sent home from school due to non-payment of fees.

A 69-year-old pensioner in Bauchi said life had been unbearable since he retired in 2001. The former staff of the State High Court said his inability to get his gratuity and pension had plunged him into untold hardship for over 10 years.

In the past, payment of pensions and salaries were prioritised over contract payments. As soon as it was mid-month all contracts’ payments were suspended until salaries and pensions were paid.

The way the governors go about it now is as if workers are expected to work for free. Any time they manage to pay part of any arrears they praise themselves endlessly as if they have done some favours to the workers.

Needless to point out that these senior citizens, most of whom are advanced in age, had given the best part of their lives in the service of the nation. What they deserve at this period in their lives is love and compassion, not ill-treatment.

Payment of salaries and pensions are heavy responsibilities, which must be discharged with the same zeal and speed with which governors approve their severance allowances on retirement.

The plight of pensioners has continued to be a blot on the conscience of the nation. We strongly urge that this scourge be removed immediately.

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