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The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Niger State Council has expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago for his administration’s efforts in the ongoing payment of gratuities to their members.
The Union stated this in a press statement signed and made available to journalists on Monday in Minna by the State Secretary of the Union, Comrade Abdullahi Baba Sani, just as he appealed for the resumption of gratuity payments to local government pensioners, who have only received batches one and two, while the state pensioners have commenced batch eight payment of their gratuities by the Niger State Pensions Board.
The State’s Council of NUP, however, highlighted the challenges faced by innocent pensioners in the state, prompting Governor Umaru Bago to order the Director General Niger State Pension Board, Malam Noshiru Saidu Namaska, to commence gratuity payments.
The union thereby appreciated the prompt action but urged the Governor to temper justice with mercy and resume payments to local government pensioners, despite the recent autonomy granted the Local Government Councils across the country following the recent Supreme Court judgement in Abuja, FFCT
The NUP drew attention to the fact that many pensioners in Niger State still receive meagre monthly payments of N3,000, N4,000, and N5,000, which fail to cover their basic expenses.
The union appealed to Governor Umaru Bago to implement the approved N70,000 national minimum wage, citing sections 173 (3) and 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which entitle pensioners to benefit from this increase.
The NUP, Niger State Council also requested a piece of land to build a pensioners’ clinic, providing subsidised healthcare services for minor health issues.
Additionally, the union further appealed for an 18-seater Bus to facilitate transportation for pensioners attending national or interstate events.
While the Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago-led administration has demonstrated commitment to pensioners’ welfare, the NUP eagerly awaits his response to their passionate appeal.
Consequently, the Federal Government’s approval of the N70,000 national minimum wage has sparked discussions on its implementation in parts of the Country
It could be recalled that some states, like Lagos, among others, have already begun paying the increased national minimum wage to their workforce, while others struggle to meet the current minimum wage requirement
The NUP, however, emphasised the hardships faced by pensioners in the state, citing rising costs of transportation, feeding, healthcare, and housing.
The union urged Governor Umaru Bago to prioritise pensioners’ welfare and implement the new minimum wage for state civil servants.
Meanwhile, the NUP’s appeal underscores the need for improved benefits and support for Niger State’s senior citizen pensioners
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