January 22, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Akwa Ibom State Council, has called for an audience with Governor Umo Eno to discuss critical issues affecting retirees, including the impact of local government autonomy on the payment of monthly pensions and gratuities.
The union announced this during an expanded executive meeting held in Uyo on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
In a communiqué signed by NUP Chairman, Obong E. E. Ekpo (JP); NUP Secretary, Obong Cosmos M. Essien; Secretary of Retired Primary School Teachers (RPST), Hon. Emmanuel S. Udoaka; and other leaders, the pensioners appealed to Governor Eno to consider establishing a state Bureau of Pension.
The proposed Bureau, according to the union, would comprise departments for civil pensioners, local government retirees, and retired primary school teachers, modeled after similar structures in other South-South states.
They noted that such an institution would enhance the management of pensions during the era of financial autonomy for local governments.
The communiqué also expressed gratitude to the governor for his benevolence toward retirees in the state.
It said, “Highlighting, regular payment of monthly pensions, the establishment and payment of a ₦20,000 minimum pension in lieu of the ₦30,000 minimum wage, the release of ₦28 billion to offset accumulated gratuity debts and approval to pay ₦32,000 to pensioners at the end of January 2025 as an interim measure before the full implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage for retirees.”
Despite these commendable efforts, the pensioners urged Governor Eno to address additional challenges faced by retirees, particularly in the current harsh economic climate.
“Drugs for survival are now beyond the financial scope of many aged persons,” the union stated.
It appealed for the payment of consequential adjustments and a 20% pension review in line with directives from the Salary and Wages Commission.
The pensioners also reiterated their request for a meeting with the governor on January 28, 2025, to discuss their concerns, particularly the implications of local government autonomy on pension payments.
“We passionately appeal to His Excellency to consider the plight of the elderly and grant us an audience to ensure that past issues associated with local government autonomy, as witnessed in the 1990s, do not recur,” the statement read.
