The Nigeria Union of pensioners, NUP, is asking the National Assembly to proscribe punishment for defaulting state governors in pension payment in the ongoing amendment to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
President of the NUP, Godwin Abumisi, made the recommendation at the 2021 National Pensioners Day, where he distances the NUP from legal threats by the federal civil service pensioners branch over discrepancies in cheque-off dues remittances.
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Sickly, dejected, pale, abandoned, and hungry….these conditions characterised the fate of retired public workers in Nigeria.
But, Following reforms by government in the last decade and with the establishment of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD the condition of pensioners has since improved.
At the 2021 National pensioners day in Abuja, NUP President, Godwin Abumisi recommended constitutional punishment for state governors who have refused to follow the steps taken by the federal government to better the condition of pensioners in both state and local government areas.
Despite pushing for a better condition for retirees, the NUP has to contend with an internal crisis, as some members of the federal civil service pensioners branch of the umbrella body, are threatening to take legal action over perceived discrepancies in cheque-off dues remittances.
Meanwhile, the pensioners body is commending President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up an inter-ministerial Committee, to enable retirees enrol in the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, as well as the establishment and inauguration of Board of the National Senior Citizens centre.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
