Consider us in new minimum wage, Kwara pensioners appeal to Gov AbdulRazaq
….laud Gov over approval of N1.4bn pension arrears
Following the recent approval of N1.4 billion for the final payment of pension arrears inherited from the last administration by the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Kwara State branch has appealed to the Governor to consider the pensioners for what it termed as ‘pensioner minimum wage’, in line with the current reality to enable them to live a comfortable life.
Comrade Saidu Oladimeji, the Chairman of the Union, while leading other members of the union on a thank-you-visit to the State Local Government Service Commission and Local Government Pension Board in Ilorin while appreciating the governor, disclosed that the money represents 11 months’ pension arrears which had remained unpaid by the immediate past administration of Mallam Abdulfatah Ahmed.
The chairman, while lauding the coming of Governor AbdulRazaq at this period is timely, maintained that he had come to rescue the pensioners, particularly at the grassroots level, from perpetual suffering at the hands of successive administrations in the state.
He said, “We are here on behalf of over 32,000 pensioners to appreciate the Governor for prioritising the welfare of pensioners in the state. We suffered a lot under the previous administration. Only a few of us were luckily spared from the suffering.
“As a result of this, many members of the union were sent to their early graves. In April 2015, many pensioners were the worst hit by the amputated pension structure prepared by the immediate past administration.
“At this juncture, we want to sincerely appreciate Governor AbdulRazaq for graciously approving over N1.4 billion for the payment of 11 months’ pension arrears. The debt was incurred by the last administration. When the Governor came on board, he promised to clear the backlog, which he had fulfilled”, the Chairman stated.
Responding, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Umaru Shero, appreciated the union members for coming, noting that the visit would give the government the confidence that the senior citizens were happy and excited with the government’s policies and programmes.
He praised the State NUP for the show of love and understanding since the inception of the present administration in the state, promising to transmit their message to the Governor.
Shero also appealed to the pensioners to extend their support and cooperation to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to fast-track the achievements of his renewed hope agenda.
