Laud additional N1bilion to Clear Backlog..
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners, NUP Rivers State Chapter,has called on the State Governor, Siminilayi Fubara to increase their benefits in gratuity and pensions which they claimed is inadequate given the excruciating hardship in the land.
The NUP, made the call in Port Harcourt, while speaking with journalists .
Fubara had during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Rivers State Civil Service Week, disclosed that the state government increased payment of the monthly pension from N1 billion to N2billion to clear the backlog of pension and gratuity to retired civil servants.
But the Chairman of the NUP, Mr. Collins Nwankwo, while lauding the governor for fulfilling the promise of increasing the pension benefits, urged the government to pay full benefits to retirees with smaller entitlements to enable them use the funds effectively
“The state governor approved additional N1billion to what we had for the payment. So now we can talk about N1billion monthly payment for gratuities, initial pension arrears and death benefits to our pensioners.
“We are happy about that, it will boost expectation. But the magnitude of indebtedness on the part of government relative to the pensioners in the state is very high. The money released does not really make the kind of impact that is expected because so many people out there are still not paid.
“We are aware that some of our members are not paid fully what they are supposed to be paid. Some are given half payment, and the whole essence of that is because the fund is insufficient.” Nwankwo said.
However,the union Secretary, Mr. Joseph Agbo, said that the payment is insufficient to clear the backlog of gratuities and pension arrears in the state.
While he also commended the governor for the additional release of N1bilion of e every month,he revealed that the state government is yet to clear backlog of over N110 billion owed retired civil servants in the state including initial pension payment, gratuity and death benefits.
“I want to thank our governor for being so kind to add to what we have been collecting, directing Ministry of Finance to pay the existing Pensioners who have not been paid their initial pension arrears, death benefit. The N2 billion released may not go round. Is not sufficient. Already, Rivers state because of three items, initial pension payment, gratuity and death benefit, is yet to clear N110 billion. As at that time the government was not prepared to pay. The former government and present released N1million each and now N2billion and it cannot take care of the three items.” Agbo said.
He noted that the federal government has from time to time increased the benefits of pensioners who retired under its service, but regretted that for over 20 years pension benefits in Rivers state has yet been implemented.
He added “The money has lost its value checking from the time they started owing. If you drag back to 2004 when the first government came in and ended in 2008. The people concerned, who are in indigenes of the Rivers State, are denied of their money. Is only the money that can save pensioners. The bulk money are not paid as at when due.
“Harmonisation has not been done. I retired about 20years ago. What I was paid in 1999 is what I am still receiving now. That money has lost value long ago. I was receiving N12, 000, by federal government, now I am receiving about N26, 000. Apart from this payment, the government should see a way out of treating the matters of pensioners.
“We want the government to do the needful, we thank the governor for the increase, we equally beg you to see the problem of pensioners and treat it just like fatherly way of doing things. You’re a father to everyone now. Please the pensioners in this state are suffering. We need harmonisation of the payment. There is no increase on pension rate since 1999 till date,”
