The Nigeria Union of Pensioners NUP, Niger state chapter has called on the state government to make pension payment as a first line charge to put an end to all forms of ill treatment to Pensioners in the state.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners NUP in state Comrade Isyaku Salisu Ndeji made the call when the Union members paid a courtesy visit to the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Niger state pension Board to address the issue of delay in the payment of November pension.
The Chairman expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in the payment of last month pension, explaining that the issue of pension payment should be treated as the first line charge to ensure trust in the system..
Comrade Isyaku Ndeji noted that the process should be devoid of unnessarary delay pointing out that Pensioners haven put in thirty five years in service are subjected to such hardship will not be tolerated and appeals to the government to look inward in addressing the issue and also find lasting solution to the problem.
He said “from all indication our members are the least paid in the country and they relay solely on the monthly pension they don’t have any source of income”.
The Chairman commends the state government on its relentless efforts towards addressing the challenges faced by the Pensioners in the state.
He Appeals to the government to do more in other to ease the suffering of Pensioners who devorted their times and energy to serve the state.,adding that most of the retirees have health challenges and need money to go on routine medical check, hence their monthly pension and gratuity will serve as succour to them.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem lafene in his response stated that the Union is working towards ensuring prompt payment of pension adding that pension should be First line charge”government should always pay pension first before payment of civil servants monthly salary and contractors in the state.
