The Kogi State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Engr. Clement Ohida has expressed optimism of a new dawn for Pensioners, particularly Pensioners in the Local Government tiers of administration.
Comr. Ohida made the disclosure in a chat with the Nigerian Post on Wednesday in Lokoja.
Comrade Ohida said he believed that the percentage payment paid Pensioners in the Local Government level of administration would be corrected with full payment of Pension by the incoming administration.
He expressed worry that pensioners who are mostly taking N20,000 as pension would still be paid percentage payment, lamented that the present economy makes it challenging for Pensioners to cope with the cost of living in the country.
” Something has to be done to Local Government Pensioners. It is an aberration to deduct from Pensioners aside check off dues, not to talk of paying percentage pension”.
“I’m optimistic and believe that this can be corrected with the full payment of pension at the local Government level”.
” We are in a transition in the State. We trust that the incoming administration will have a new style for Pensioners, particularly, pensioners at the local Government level”.
The State Chairman of NUP says he has been able to meet with the yearning and aspirations of Pensioners, within the peculiar challenges faced by Pensioners, looks forward to an improvement in the payment of full pension by the coming administration.
” Our situation is peculiar. It is difficult to hussle when you’re above 60 years of age, faced with health issues and couple with the economic challenges in the country”.
“As elderly people, it is not easy going up and down to hussle, yet we have to live with pension that is not paid in full. We are however thankful to God that we may not really be surviving on the stipends, but the Grace of God”.
The State Chairman, commended pensioners for their orderly conduct during the polls, congratulated the incoming administration over the electoral victory, expressed optimism for a better deal for Pensioners in the coming days