A’Ibom: Pensioners Laud Gov. Eno Over Increments, Urge Implementation In Arrears

Pensioners in Akwa Ibom State have expressed deep-seated gratitude to the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for the approval of the increments in pensions of all those who retired before 2012, whose implementation is billed to start at the end of the month, describing his action as a great benevolence to weak and elderly citizens.

In the same vein, the pensioners have made a passionate appeal to the state governor to rather start the implementation in arrears for their members to feel the impact of his kind gesture.

The state secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Cosmos Essien, who stated this in a press statement made available to journalists in Uyo on Sunday on behalf of pensioners, said the governor’s action has ended the era of pensioners collecting N1000 and N2000 as monthly pensions in the state.

According to him, “Nigeria Union of Pensioners received the news to implement the payment of N20,000/N15,000 to various groups of pensioners by the end of this month. The union is very grateful to the governor for his benevolence to the weak and maimed called pensioners”.

The statement explains, “We can now call the N20,000 minimum pension in lieu of the N30,000 minimum wage; this is a product of negotiation that started with the 21-day ultimatum given to former Governor Udom Emmanuel, and a committee was formed by December 2022. The report of the committee came out by May 2023, and the union was ordered by the Head of Service to spread the news that the governor approved the N20,000 and N15,000, respectively, with effect from April 2023.”

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The state secretary said the pensioners, after rejoicing with the news, never benefited as the implementation was stalled until the recent intervention of Governor Eno, who urged him to start with the implementation of the payment of the outstanding arrears for one year.

He highlighted, “Your Excellency, we appeal to you to extend your benevolence to April 2023, which all minds and spirits of all pensioners had already captured. This little arrears of one year would help bring many out of the grave, which most of them had already been. Please consider the paramount request from your aged parents and friends, and God will bless you.”

The statement further recalled, “In continuation of the 2023 report, it was agreed that after the payment, a committee will be set up to work on the consequential adjustment instead of the N30,000 minimum wage, and a circular to that effect has been issued to your government. While thanking you for a good start that rested the issue of nonpayment of various percentage increases, we appeal to you to consider the setting of a committee for consequential adjustment”.

The pensioners once again used the opportunity to advocate for the establishment of a pension board or bureau for easy administration and handling of pension matters, stressing that the creation will help the government manage pension matters with ease and efficiency.

They appealed to the governor to create a little time from his busy schedule for a few minutes of audience with the executive members of the union, during which issues of great importance would be elaborately discussed.