Oyo Pensioners Seek Gov. Makinde's Intervention On Over N62.5b Arrears
By Tony Okechukwu
Retirees under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Oyo State have called on Governor Seyi Makinde to, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on pension matters in view of the about N63 billion arrears being owned the pensioners by past administrations.
The sum, which accounts for between eight to 56 months of unpaid pensions and gratuities, is being owed retired primary school teachers and local government pensioners.
The pensioners spoke when about 1,000 members of the NUP in the State led by Acting Chairman Abimbola Abolade and State Secretary Olusegun Abatan, staged a solidarity rally to the Governor's Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking on behalf of the pensioners, Abatan called for the upward review of the monies allocated to settling the arrears in the interest of the retirees.
He said: "It is regrettable to inform your Excellency that gratuities of workers, who retired in the year 2012, are just being paid in 2019. We strongly appeal that the monthly allocation to the Ministry of Establishment be increased to N500 million monthly to enable prompt payment of gratuities and pensions".
"If you add all these arrears together, Government's indebtedness to Oyo State pensioners alone would be in the neighbourhood of N100 billion. It is this pertinent to urge your Excellency to declare a state of emergency on pension matters."
Gov. Makinde said his administration would give everything that is due to the pensioners under the law to them as and when due, saying however, that "in this journey, there are two parts'.
"Part one started on May 29, 2019. We have drawn a line there that from May 29, 2019, till the end of this administration, whatever is due to you under the law, will be done for you.
Retirees under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Oyo State have called on Governor Seyi Makinde to, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on pension matters in view of the about N63 billion arrears being owned the pensioners by past administrations.
The sum, which accounts for between eight to 56 months of unpaid pensions and gratuities, is being owed retired primary school teachers and local government pensioners.
The pensioners spoke when about 1,000 members of the NUP in the State led by Acting Chairman Abimbola Abolade and State Secretary Olusegun Abatan, staged a solidarity rally to the Governor's Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking on behalf of the pensioners, Abatan called for the upward review of the monies allocated to settling the arrears in the interest of the retirees.
He said: "It is regrettable to inform your Excellency that gratuities of workers, who retired in the year 2012, are just being paid in 2019. We strongly appeal that the monthly allocation to the Ministry of Establishment be increased to N500 million monthly to enable prompt payment of gratuities and pensions".
"If you add all these arrears together, Government's indebtedness to Oyo State pensioners alone would be in the neighbourhood of N100 billion. It is this pertinent to urge your Excellency to declare a state of emergency on pension matters."
Gov. Makinde said his administration would give everything that is due to the pensioners under the law to them as and when due, saying however, that "in this journey, there are two parts'.
"Part one started on May 29, 2019. We have drawn a line there that from May 29, 2019, till the end of this administration, whatever is due to you under the law, will be done for you.
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