Electricity pensioners protest in Ilorin over unpaid gratuities, pension

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

The pensioners under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUC), electricity sector, Kwara State chapter on Monday protested over the unpaid gratuities, pensions by the federal government.

The union in a peaceful protest staged outside Challenge office of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company(IBEDC),ilorin said since the Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN) has been taken over by the new company, their monthly pension has being seamless.

In the series of their placards, with different inscriptions, the workers stated that “ federal government be syspathectic; federal government we want our entitlements; Federal government,let your agreement be intact among others.

While speaking with journalists, the state Chairman of NUP, Deacon J. A Akande said since March, 2014, the majorities of electricity workers have not been paid.

He also disclosed that. Since 2010, some of their members have been paid their gratuities.

He noted that some of their members has died while other still in hospitals.

The union which sought the intervention Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said “ as we write,only a segment of PHCN pensioners have received March pensions while we were informed that NELMCO is yet to funded for the outstanding March payment as well as April 2014.”

Already, the National President of the Union, Chief Temple C Ubani had confirmed that a total number of 2,912 retirees of the union have been cleared and their names forwarded to the office of Accountant General of the federation for payment but till now, nobody had received any kobo.

The Union appealed to federal government to honour the agreement reached with the Pensioners stressing that one day, those in power today will become an old citizens like them.