Pensioners of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) yesterday threatened to shut down offices of the agency nationwide, starting from May 6 over non-payment of their gratuities and other deductions.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NSITF Branch, Aham Mbazigwe-Akonye, said: “Our members are living in perpetual poverty as life is becoming more difficult due to the harsh economic realities in the country. “A situation whereby some pensioners are earning about N7, 000 monthly pension is absurd, ridiculous, unthinkable and unacceptable.
- Buhari wants report on local vaccine production next month
- NIGERIA DAILY: Why The Prices Of Election Forms Are Hiked
“We urge President Muhammad Buhari to prevail on the Management of NSITF to urgently implement and pay our due pensions.
“Mr President should not shut his eyes and ears to our plea because if he does, our situation will worsen, as it has become the culture of NSITF to ignore our cries for our rights.”
When contacted, NSITF spokesperson, Ijeoma Okoronkwo, dismissed the pensioners’ claim of being owed.
She said some of the issues they raised were being addressed by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
“Talking about the deductions not being remitted, that cannot be correct. NSITF is not in deficit of pensions to our in-house pensioners. We pay promptly. We do not owe the monthly pension of NSITF in-house retirees.
“Approval for monthly pension is usually granted on the 15th of each month. I can show you the letter of approval, so we are not owing, not even one month,” she said.