By Emeka Chiaghanam
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Anambra State
Council, has called on the Anambra State Government to do more to improve the
welfare of retired workers, saying many pensioners are still struggling to
survive despite recent efforts to address some long-standing pension
challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Awka, on Harmonization of
Pension in Anambra State, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Dr Anthony
C. Ugozor (JP), said many retired civil servants who spent decades serving the
state now live in difficult conditions because of poor pensions, unpaid
entitlements and delays in receiving their benefits. He said pensioners should
not spend their retirement years in hardship after giving the best years of
their lives to public service.
Union acknowledges government's efforts
Dr Ugozor acknowledged steps already taken by Governor
Chukwuma Soludo's administration, including the clearance of about ₦22
billion in gratuity arrears inherited from the previous
administration and the introduction of a ₦10,000 monthly pension award
in October 2024.
He noted that the award came after the government learnt
that some pensioners were receiving less than ₦1,000 a month, with the
least-paid retiree earning just ₦333.45.
However, he said the payment should be seen as a temporary
intervention rather than a substitute for proper pension harmonisation, arguing
that the Constitution requires pensions to be reviewed every five years or
whenever salaries are reviewed.
Renewed call for payment of 11 months'
arrears
The union also renewed its call for the payment of 11
months' pension arrears owed to retired primary school teachers, amounting
to about ₦490.18
million.
According to Dr Ugozor, the funds were approved as far back
as 2014 and remain with the Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC), yet the
beneficiaries have still not been paid.
He said the union had written to the Speaker of the Anambra
State House of Assembly and the Head of Service and also submitted a verified
payment ledger prepared by the Local Government Pensions Board containing the
names and payment details of those affected. Despite these efforts, he said,
the outstanding arrears remain unpaid.
Concerns over biometric verification
The union also expressed concern over the biometric
verification exercise introduced by the state government in 2024.
While commending the government for introducing the exercise
to eliminate ghost pensioners, Dr Ugozor said many genuine retirees who
successfully completed the verification are yet to be restored to the payroll,
while others continue to experience unexplained delays in receiving their
monthly pensions.
He appealed to the government to reconcile the verification
records, restore every verified pensioner to the payroll and clear all
outstanding payments.
"Many of our colleagues have died
waiting"
Adding an emotional voice to the discussion, the Secretary
of the Association of Retired Primary School Teachers in Anambra State, Comrade
Gregory Chukwukelu, appealed directly to Governor Soludo to release the
outstanding pension arrears.
He recalled that following a meeting with government
representatives in August 2022, retirees were assured that funds for the
payment had been set aside and that the governor would be informed. However, he
said nothing happened afterwards despite several follow-up visits.
Chukwukelu said the prolonged delay had taken a heavy toll
on pensioners.
"In my own local government, Nnewi South, we were 58
people. Today, only eight of us are still alive. We are dying while waiting for
this money," he said, urging the governor to intervene and ensure the
payment is made.
ABS retirees demand gratuity payments
Retired staff of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) also
used the occasion to highlight their own challenges.
Chairman of the ABS chapter of the NUP, Comrade Bonny
Ezeani, said no retired ABS worker had received gratuity since 2017.
He estimated the outstanding gratuities at about ₦150
million, adding that the figure continues to rise as more workers
retire.
Ezeani said the union had written more than 12 letters to
the Head of Service, the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the State Government
and Governor Soludo without receiving a response. He also disclosed that a
scheduled meeting with the Head of Service was cancelled and has yet to be
rescheduled.
He appealed to the state government to settle the
outstanding gratuities and address the concerns of retired ABS workers.
Call for pension harmonisation
Also speaking, retired director Comrade Jude Anade described
the condition of many pensioners as heartbreaking, saying some former senior
civil servants now receive pensions that are no better than the salary of the
lowest-paid public worker.
He urged the government to harmonise pensions and ensure
that retirees receive benefits that reflect present-day economic realities.
The union concluded by calling on the Anambra State
Government to ensure prompt payment of pensions, clear all outstanding arrears,
implement a realistic minimum pension, improve healthcare support for retirees
and maintain regular dialogue with pensioners' representatives, saying those
who served the state faithfully deserve to retire with dignity rather than
hardship.
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