The President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Godwin Abumisi, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the distribution method of palliative measures provided by the Nigerian Government for retirees.
He stated that, despite the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs being assigned the task, pensioners have yet to receive any of the assistance.
Abumisi made these comments during a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday as part of the 2024 Pensioners Day celebrations. The theme of this year’s event is “The Unresolved Economic Hardship in Nigeria and its Traumatic Effects on the Lives of Nigerian Pensioners/Older Persons.”
The NUP President urged the government to partner with the Union to ensure that palliatives reach pensioners by using an accurate database of the elderly population. He also highlighted the severe economic hardship in the country, particularly affecting senior citizens due to the removal of fuel subsidies.
“The primary purpose of observing the annual celebration is for us to come together to review our journey so far, and how far our members had faired in the past and how they are fairing under the ongoing harsh economic condition, so as to feel their pains and frustrations.
“It is also to enable the Union presents its charter of demands to the Federal Government towards finding sustainable solutions to our plight.
“Regrettably, the pensioners who fall within the category of the most vulnerable persons in Nigeria, with their peculiar challenges are always left out in the distribution of the approved material and non-material palliative packages by the Federal Government.
“It is on this premise that we wish to once again draw the attention of the Federal Government via the Office of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs that is entrusted with the responsibility of distributing materials/cash to the poor vulnerable Nigerians, including the pensioners to expedite action on this directive towards cushioning the biting effect of the economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
“It is against this backdrop that we wish to suggest to the Federal Government that for any approved palliatives to get to our members across board, it should consider partnering with the pensioners’ union (NUP) and or the involvement of Government Agencies that handle pension payments, with accurate database,” Abumisi said.
On a more positive note, Abumisi expressed appreciation for the recent approval of a N32,000 minimum pension, without any push from the Union.
This decision followed the Government’s introduction of a new national minimum wage of N70,000, and a circular was released directing the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission to implement the new pension rate.
Abumisi called this move “unusual and a first of its kind,” reflecting positively on the government’s action to support pensioners.