- * 'We Are Dying', They Cry Out
By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has been called upon to as a matter of urgency look compassionately into the plights of.
Retired civil servants otherwise known as pensioners in Niger State whose life has become a living hell due to the harsh economic reality have called governor Abubakar Sani Bello to pay them their gratuities.
The pensioners are begging the governor, to, as a matter of urgency, look compassionately into their plights.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUPs) Niger State Chapter who spoke on behalf of their members, lamented that a situation whereby retired civil servants who had served the state meritoriously turn to beggars and not sure of where their next meal will come from on a daily basis certainly does not speak well of the state government.
The pensioners nevertheless commended the state government for paying 30 percent to some retirees but reminded the Governor of the need to offset the 70 percent balance as well as attend to those who are yet to be captured.
Secretary of the NUP in Niger state, Comrade Abdullahi Baba Sani, in an interview in Minna, pleaded with Governor Bello led administration to look into the plight of retirees who are not only dying almost on a daily basis without receiving their gratuities but often subjected to all forms of embarrassments by landlords.
Many retirees have no houses of their own but live in rented apartments and are now being evicted for inability to pay rents. This, according to Baba Sani, is the height of humiliation and therefore wants Governor Bello to look compassionately to their plight and do something.
Instead of being appreciated, the NUP Secretary expressed regrets that after serving meritoriously for 35 years, members are not only being denied their entitlements as a reward but exposed to dangers of humiliation and embarrassment. This, he said, is uncalled for.
“Retirees are dying on a daily basis without receiving their gratuities and those in rented houses face eviction daily because they cannot pay house rents and that is why we are appealing to the Governor to take stringent measures in addressing the issue”.
The union’s Secretary is advising the Governor Bello-led administration to use part of the N19 billion given to states by the federal government to settle gratuities of retired civil servants, as doing so will rekindle the hope of survival for the Senior citizens in Niger state.
“NUP appreciates efforts by the state government for paying 30% to those who retired earlier. The Governor should do the needful by paying the 70% balance and also ensure that those who are yet to be captured are paid 100% of their gratuities”, the Secretary said.
Comrade Sani said it is unfortunate that since the inception of the present administration in 2015, only a few retirees were paid 30% of their gratuities despite all the bailouts received from the federal government to assist states financially to pay salaries and pensions.
However, while pleading with fellow retirees to be patient with the state government, the NUPs scribe assured members that the leadership of the union in the state is making a frantic effort to see that the government look into their most pressing challenges. NNL.
