Borno Pensioners hails Zulum for improving plights of retirees
The National Union of Pensioners (NUP) and it's Executive members, Borno state Chapter have applauded Governor Babagana Zulum for improving upon the plights of retirees through prompt payment of pensions and gratuities.
The Union stated this at its meeting with Executives from 30 branches including those from the 27 local government areas which took place in Maiduguri at the week end.
The Chairman of NUP in the state, Comrade Musa Alhaji Bukar in his welcome address said, Borno under Zulum has spent huge amount of funds in managing the security challenges, but despite these challenges, the governor remained focused and committed to the plights and welfare of the citizenry, especially in prompt payment of pensions, salaries and gratuities.
Comrade Bukar said, upgrading payments of outstanding gratuities monthly fund to the State retirees from One Hundred Million (N100 million) to Two Hundred Million (N200 million) as directed by the governor has touched and transformed alot of lives and families to economic development.
The NUP Chairman further said, governor Zulum had paid 50% pension arrears to 1115 state retirees of 2021 to 2022 last year, in addition to payment of pension outstanding arrears of 534 retirees across the 27 local government areas.
He added that payment of 25%
gratuity to 500 Primary School Teachers, payment of gratuity to Local Government Retirees and the continuous payment of monthly pension to retirees without delay as well as payment of 25% to late cases in the State and payment of 399 outstanding pension arrears to primary school board is a welcome development, as billions of naira were approved and released without delay, even as he urged the government not to relent to come to their aid by reviewing pensions to enable those retirees with little pension cope with the increase in prices of goods and services in the state.
His words: " Let me use this opportunity to thank you all for honoring this invitation. It is purposely for us to meet and review our achievements and a way forward.
"On behalf of NUP in Borno, I commend Governor Babagana Zulum for improving upon the plights of retirees through prompt payment of pensions and gratuities.
" As we are all aware, Borno under Zulum has spent huge amount of funds in managing security challenges, but despite these challenges, the governor remained focused and committed to the plights and welfare of the citizenry, especially in prompt payment of pensions, salaries and gratuities.
" More importantly, we appreciated Governor Zulum for upgrading payments of outstanding gratuities monthly fund to our State retirees from One Hundred Million (N100 million) to Two Hundred Million (N200 million). This initiative has touched and transformed alot of lives and families to economic development.
"Furthermore, Zulum had paid 50% pension arrears to 1,115 state retirees of 2021 to 2022 last year, in addition to payment of pension outstanding arrears of 534 retirees across the 27 local government areas.
"Likewise, payment of 25%
gratuity to 500 Primary School Teachers, payment of gratuity to Local Government Retirees and the continuous payment of monthly pension to retirees without delay as well as payment of 25% to late cases in the State and payment of 399 outstanding pension arrears to primary school board is a welcome development, and we will continue give oir maximum support and cooperation to the present administration to succeed.
"But like Oliver Twist, we urge the government not to relent to come to our aid by reviewing pensions to enable those retirees with little pension cope with the increase in prices of goods and services in the state." Comrade Bukar stated.
Meanwhile, amongst the communique issued at the end of NUP meeting include; a strong call on other state governors to Emulate Zulum in addressing the plights of the citizenry, especially retired and serving civil servants, as well as foster unity amongst its members. End
