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The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abia State chapter, has urged the state government to revisit the Memorandum of Agreement concerning the payment of pension arrears and gratuities.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Elder Chukwuemeka Irondi, and Secretary, Elder Uma Kalu, on Thursday, the union emphasized that at no point was any discussion held about waiving their entitlements, including gratuities.
The union pointed out that while Governor Alex Otti cleared pension arrears from June 2023 to March 2024, the 45 months of unpaid pension arrears owed by the previous administration remain unsettled.
Despite commending the governor for the regular payment of monthly pensions, the union criticized the unilateral nature of the MoA, claiming it was influenced by ill-advised recommendations from top aides, including former Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Michael Akpara, and Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Abia State Council, insists on a serious review of the so-called Memorandum of Agreement, particularly Article 7(a) and (b), as crafted by agents of the state government.”
The union further clarified that the present administration has not addressed the 45 months of unpaid pension arrears inherited from the previous government.
It added, “The present administration only cleared arrears of 10 months (June 2023 – March 2024), which it incurred, and some pensioners have yet to receive even these payments. The so-called ex gratia payments by the governor are ambiguous, as they were not discussed with the union.”
The NUP also dismissed claims by the governor that the administration had cleared a decade of pension arrears, stating, “The governor’s assertion of having cleared 10 years of arrears is baseless and has no support within the union.”
The union’s statement underscores ongoing dissatisfaction among pensioners over the handling of their dues and calls for a more transparent and inclusive approach in settling the arrears and gratuities.
