Pensioners plan 3-day protest over “rot in pension administration’

 Mr Lucky Oyinbo, Secretary, National Union of Pensioners (NUP), on Sunday in Jos said that the action would begin on Monday, Feb. 25.

“The action has become necessary because the Federal Government and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have failed to prosecute those found to have embezzled pension funds,’’ he explained.

Oyinbo said that pensioners were also angry over the non-release and non-implementation of the 53 percent increase approved by the administration of the late President Shehu Yar’ Adua.

“Other reasons for the action include the non-implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage to pensioners, as well as the non remittance of NUP headquarters’ check off dues.

“Pensioners are also angry over the non payment of shortfall in allowances paid to workers severed in 2005 and 2007 by federal establishments, especially the Jos University and the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) ,’’ he added.

According to the scribe, pensioners are also demanding the increase in the number of pensioners on the Pensioners’ Board, from one to three, to check the fraudulent activities in the system.

“We currently have one pensioner on the board and that is not enough because majority of those on board are not pensioners. That makes it possible for government officials to embezzle pension funds.’’

Oyinbo said that the protests would be carried out along major streets of Jos with pensioners from all federal civil organisations, the police, customs, immigration and prisons services.

He said that security agencies and relevant agencies had been properly informed, and called for support toward improving the plight of the pensioner. (NAN)