Lagos Pensioners Urge Sanwo-Olu to Address Unpaid Benefits.
From Our Correspondent.
Lagos State retirees and members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have made a desperate appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging him to urgently resolve their long-standing issues.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) expressed their frustration over the failure to implement critical pension increases and the non-payment of significant arrears. Following a general meeting of pensioners, the Union’s State Executive Council highlighted three main areas of concern.
Firstly, they are demanding the implementation of a ₦32,000 pension increase for all pensioners, which stems from the National Minimum Wage Act of 2024 and was expected to take effect in July 2024.
Secondly, the NUP voiced deep dissatisfaction with the ongoing non-payment of accrued pension arrears, amounting to 57 months. This issue arose from the 2019 Consequential Adjustment that was supposed to take effect in April 2019.
Lastly, the pensioners are awaiting payment of arrears for a five-year pension increase affecting 20 individuals, which is due to start in January 2024.
Additionally, the NUP is appealing to the state government to integrate all pensioners in state parastatals into the ORACLE payment system, in accordance with Section 173 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates pension increases alongside wage increases or every five years, whichever comes first.
The Union specifically pointed to the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, and the Director-General of LASPEC, Mr. Babalela Obilana, accusing them of refusing to engage with the Union and allegedly shielding the Governor from the pensioners’ concerns despite numerous requests for meetings.
Recalling promises made during a protest in November 2023, the pensioners emphasized that these increases are their primary source of income, especially amid the current economic hardship. They stressed that these payments are essential for covering various necessary expenses.
During the press briefing, the state chairman, Rev. Oluremi Johnson, appealed to Sanwo-Olu to approve their entitlements and urged state officials to remember the state’s motto, warning, “We are Senior Citizens, and we don’t want to become Senior Miscreants.” The union issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Lagos State Government to address the issues raised, signaling a potential escalation if their demands are not met.
