The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to the state government to pay them the outstanding pension arrears, gratuity and death benefits owed senior citizens of the state.
The NUP Chairman, Collins Nwankwo said the call became necessary as many pensioners in Rivers State are yet to receive initial pension allowances or gratuity since Governor Wike’s assumption of office.
” Looking at our problems as pensioners in the State, which had lingered for too long. We are appealing to the Rivers State Governor to this time around try for us by looking back upon our plight and then get part of that money to resolve this pending problems”
” We had always said he is paying monthly pension to those whose names are on the payroll. Meanwhile, that is not the only components of pension. Pension has other components. We are talking about gratuities which are not paid, initial pension arrears which are not paid and death benefits to our members who are late” he stated.
Nwankwo further told our reporter that many pensioners in Rivers State are suffering in health due to inability to access their pension gratuity after serving the state 35 years.
He also urged the Rivers State Governor to make the families of the deceased pensioners feel happy. Because pensioners were also part of those who voted for him at the time and stood for him when the problems were there. Adding that they shouldn’t be forgotten in this form.
” We have been trying our possible best to reach out, but to no avail. We have not gotten any results. Our pensioners are worried, they are on our necks, as if we are not doing anything” he concluded.
