A' Ibom Pays Poorest Pensions- NUP Chairman
The Akwa Ibom state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Obong Daniel Ekpo has decried the poor living conditions of Pensioners in Akwa Ibom state
Speaking with journalists recently in Uyo, he said the major reason why many Pensioners who are still lucky to be alive in the midst of the misery they are facing and some died as a result is because the state and federal governments have refused to treat them as equally human beings living in the present day Nigeria with the existing harsh economy realities
" There was a time when N600 or N800 was money and that was what somebody earned several years ago. It is inhuman to continue to pay such ridiculous amount of money to a family man who may still have to pay school fees of children, pay rent and pay for health care which is usually high for somebody that is aging. This is unfair " he lamented
According to him, Pensioners in other states of the South-South are even faring better than they in Akwa Ibom state
"Recently we were at Edo state in South -South Nigeria for our conference and we have seen what the state government has done to improve the lot of Pensioners. They have actually increased what they pay Pensioners.In neighbouring Cross River state, in spite of the state's lean resources, the government has ensured that the Pensioners are considered during salary reviews but we in Akwa Ibom state have never been considered. Our condition is actually the worst when compared to other states" he regretted
Obong Ekpo has therefore pleaded with the governor to look into the hardship Pensioners in Akwa Ibom state are facing and urgently review the pensions
Explaining the efforts made so far to get the government informed of their plight, Obong Ekpo said " It has been impossible to see the governor on our problem but we have been talking to the Head of the Civil Service and the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state to bring our plight to the notice of the governor and plead on our behalf for better living conditions "
On the new minimum wage he said" We have been hearing that one as a fairy tale. Beginning from the federal government, no pronouncement was made that we should be considered in its implementation, and that is why right from the federal Pensioners to the state, we were not considered for the new minimum wage of N30,000"
Obong Ekpo while commending the state government for regular payment of the pensions monthly however said that it is only appropriate for it to be reviewed, since pensioners go to the same markets as the other people in the country and Akwa Ibom state.
He warned that unless this is done Pensioners will continue to suffer the harsh living conditions and they will be dying prematurely in droves.
He said the state chapter of the NUP will certainly join the planned protest for the review and harmonization of pensions in the country whenever the national body of the union calls for it, noting that this is the only way Nigerians will know and appreciate their plight
Advising public servants, he said it is absolutely necessary for them to plan for their retirement period.
" You don't start building a house upon retirement. When you are still in active service, do your very best to mould one bag of cement every month, before long you will have enough blocks for your house. Also public servants should learn to take out a little part of their salaries for investment, so that over time that will begin to yield some profit for them and it will support them in their old age" he advised
As a body, Obong Ekpo said the NUP in the state still guide their aging members on the best ways to live active and happy lives in retirement
He revealed that as a way of contributing to posterity, the NUP in Akwa Ibom state has embarked on the construction of a guest house with other facilities such as event centre that can be rented out to make it a money yielding investment for the association.
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