The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Nasarawa State has claimed that the 13 local government areas in the state are owing them pension and other entitlements for 52 months.
Chairman of the pensioners union, Alhaji Musa Obakpa, who briefed journalists on the issue, on Wednesday, said the situation had subjected his members to untold hardship.
“It is on record that pensioners in LGAs have over the years been subjected to untold hardship due to lack of payment of pension and gratuity. Currently, there is an outstanding of 52 months’ arrears unattended to,” he said.
Obakpa also said it is the responsibility of every tier of government to pay entitlements to their retirees.
“The state government has been paying monthly pension and gratuity to state pensioners, even though they have not been paid for four months.”
Similarly, the Secretary of NUP, Alhaji I.D.A. Usman, said it is time for Nasarawa House of Assembly to assist by ensuring that all outstanding pensions are paid to the poor pensioners in the state.
He said many of them have medical bills to settle as the majority of them are sick and have relied solely on the pensions for sustenance.
When contacted, Chairman of Association of Local Governments (ALGON) in the state, Alhaji Aminu Muazu Maifata, said they have been contributing 15 percent of their Statutory Revenue (SRA) for the entitlements of the pensioners.
He said the contributed fund is with Nasarawa State Pension Bureau for onward settlement. “They know and should liaise with them.”
Also, Public Relations Officer of the Pension Bureau, Ibrahim Abdullahi Dawaiya, said, “The pension Bureau had distributed all the money that local governments remit for payment to the pensioners.
“We don’t withhold N1 that was meant for Senior Citizens,” he added.
