Bauchi pensioners appeal to gov over N25bn gratuity

By Najib Sani

Bauchi

Pensioners in Bauchi state under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have appealed to Governor Mohammed Abubakar to settle their outstanding gratuity of N25 billion.
Addressing journalists yesterday in Bauchi while marking this year’s Pensioners Day celebrations, the state chairman of the union, Alhaji Habu Gar, flanked by the state chairmen of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hashimu Gital, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mohammed Usman, who made the appeal, said series of letters and correspondences were sent to the government on the need to pay the debt, but were yet to “see the light of the day.”
“At this juncture, the Union wishes to inform Bauchi state government that excessive accumulated gratuity by the government is the major problem of pensioners across the state. Series of letters and correspondences are being circulated as reminder in order to reduce the long hardship being experienced by our members across the state.
“The Union is therefore disturbed by pensioners and the fingers are getting out of hand, although nothing is too greater for your administration to tackle. And the union would not stop pensioners to voice out their grievances.”
On the contributory pension, the union decried that the scheme was yet to be implemented in the state like other states, urging the government to follow suit in order to solve the pension problems faced by retired workers in the state.
“It is very sad to say that arrears of the increase resulting from 2010 increase are yet to be fully paid. It should be stressed that we were due for another upward review of pension in 2015, that is two years ago. This reflects lack of concern for pensioners. We, therefore, call on the two tiers of government to rectify the situation.”

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