Pensioners A force team inside the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, the Abia Pensioners’ Discussion board, has appealed to Abia Condition Governor, Alex Otti, to revisit his Memorandum of Contract with pensioners in regards to the fee in their gratuity and pension arrears.
Addressing the clicking in Umuahia on Wednesday, the Coordinator of the gang, Barr. Okey Kanu, clarified that the gang is neither political nor affiliated with any celebration. He stressed out that they don’t intend to confront the circumstance executive however instead search readability at the purported clearance of pension and gratuity arrears.
The crowd famous that circumstance NUP officers have created a data hole, failing to actively pursue answers. They reminded the governor of his marketing campaign word of honour to unclouded the arrears of pension and gratuity via thirty first December 2023.
Alternatively, the pensioners identified that the MoA signed via the circumstance executive and the NUP stipulated that simplest a part of the arrears can be paid, with the stability forfeited via the pensioners. They lamented, “Instead of rejoicing, we were plunged into mourning.”
“We wept bitterly, raising our hands to God for intervention, as it was unimaginable that we could lose the fruits of our labour after 35 years of service or reaching the age of 60. This development has worsened the already precarious health conditions of many pensioners.”
In addition they alleged inconsistencies in pension and ex-gratia bills. The crowd added, “The minutes of the enlarged NUP meeting referred to in the MoA did not even mention gratuity. Instead, the focus was on pension arrears. To date, the MoA remains a secret document to our members, with neither the state government nor NUP officials publishing its contents.”
Describing the MoA as “illegal, exploitative, and unconscionable,” they asserted,
“Pension and gratuity are statutory and personal rights of each pensioner. No one has the authority to negotiate them away on behalf of any pensioner.”
“It is incomprehensible how the state government could negotiate with vulnerable pensioners who have been deprived and impoverished for years. Our Forum has chosen not to confront the government but to humbly plead for fairness.”
They persisted, “This is exploitative and unconscionable, as pensioners were not given free will to negotiate or agree to the MoA. A valid contract requires both parties to be free from undue influence or pressure.”
Evaluating the MoA to the biblical tale of Esau and Jacob, the Discussion board claimed that pensioners had been in a similar fashion exploited, and they’ve reached out to diverse figures, together with Peter Obi, the governor’s spouse, church leaders, and circumstance officers, for intervention.
In conclusion, they pleaded, “His Excellency, the Governor, recently highlighted the need to protect vulnerable persons, including pensioners. We therefore urge him to revisit and rescind the MoA and pay pensioners their rightful benefits.”
“Doing so would earn him a legacy as a promise keeper. In return, we pledge our continued loyalty and support for his administration.”