A pensioners forum called Sokoto State Concerned Pensioners Forum has appealed to the Sokoto State government to review their monthly pensions upward in the reality of the current economic situation.
The forum chairman, Junaidu Ahmad, while addressing newsmen in a press conference at the Sokoto NUJ press centre on Tuesday, said pensioners under the local governments and local government education authorities still collected a meagre sum of 4,500 naira in the past 22 years.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as some of you are potential pensioners, we think you need to know more about our current situation for your future preparedness and to support us in the struggle to set free our pension rights from international wrong bondage.
“Please let us refer you to Section 210 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution subsection (2) and (3) which states that, any benefit to which a pensioner is entitled should not be withheld or altered to his disadvantage except to such extent as is permissible under any law, including the code of conduct.
“Also, pensions shall be reviewed every five years or together with any state civil service salary reviews, whichever is earlier.”
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The chairman flanked by the Administrative secretary, Muhammad Garba Bazza, alongside other executive members went further to give details of the monthly pensions of the workers which include, “minimum monthly pension in the state which includes LGAs, LGEAs and state level is 4,500 naira for the past 22 years.
“The highest paid monthly pension at LGAs and LGEAs is 42,000 naira. This was due to the non-implementation of the 18,000 naira minimum wage and health workers’ salaries since March 2013 to date.
“The salaries were approved through circular No.ED/SAL/S/T/VOL II dated, September 4, 2014.
“Local Governments and Local Government Education Authorities are yet to enjoy 30,000 minimum wages talking more of a New Monthly pension after retirement.”
He also appealed for timely payment of monthly pensions alongside the salaries of civil servants which he described as great concern to LGAs and LGEAs pensioners.
The forum also carpeted the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners as good for nothing, “they are good for nothing for not showing the desired concern over our problems but their interest is the most important issue to them.
“That is why we formed the forum to search for solutions to some of our retirement life problems,” he added.
