The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has expressed its appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to approve a N25,000 wage increment as a relief measure for federal pensioners in the country.
During an address commemorating the 2023 Pensioners and Older Persons Day in Abuja, held under the theme “Subsidy Removal and its Adverse Impact on the Lives of Pensioners/Older Persons,” Godwin Abumisi, the National President of NUP, conveyed this commendation.
Abumisi emphasized the importance of prompt action in disbursing this payment and called upon the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, who is responsible for overseeing the disbursement, to expedite the process to alleviate the suffering of pensioners and older citizens.
In pursuit of fairness, Abumisi also urged the government to extend the duration of the wage increase from three to six months, aligning it with what regular employees typically receive.
He stressed the necessity for government agencies involved in the disbursement, such as PTAD and PENCOM, to maintain accurate and up-to-date databases containing the account details of all pensioners. This would facilitate easy access and smooth delivery of the approved relief.
Abumisi regarded these agencies as effective and efficient channels for providing assistance to their members.
He further highlighted the persistent challenges faced by NUP members, including issues related to pension harmonization, the omission of the 2015 pension review, non-payment of arrears for pension increments (15% and 33%), and consequential adjustments dating back to 2007, 2010, and 2019.
In addition, the delay in releasing monthly accrued rights to contributory pensioners has resulted in severe hardships, with the total accumulated accrued rights now amounting to approximately N140 billion.
Abumisi made an earnest plea to the Federal Government, calling for swift intervention to prevent untimely deaths among this group of pensioners.
