By Fatima Saka
A substantial assembly of retired public servants congregated in Abuja today to denounce the government’s failure in disbursing their pensions and gratuities, many of which have been outstanding for over a year.
The demonstrators, who served in various federal ministries, expressed their exasperation over the absence of action concerning their unpaid entitlements, resulting in profound hardship for numerous individuals.
Comrade Anne Amaturu, a prominent figure in the protest, retired from the Federal Ministry of Power in 2023. She articulated the discontent of retirees who have not received any remuneration, despite assurances from the government. “It has been a year, and yet, not a single penny has been allocated to us,” she mourned. “There are retirees who have been awaiting payment for two or even three years. While active employees have been receiving salary increments, we, the retired federal employees, have been utterly neglected.”
Amaturu underscored the calamitous repercussions of the delay on the retirees, many of whom are elderly, ailing, and grappling to subsist. “Several of our comrades have passed away, and others are hospitalized, unable to afford adequate treatment. We demand the settlement of our pending arrears, with those of us who retired in 2023 receiving our full dues.”
The retirees’ predicament has been compounded by the prevailing economic circumstances in Nigeria, characterized by escalating inflation and living costs that render it unfeasible for them to fulfill their basic requirements. One of the protestors, Mrs. Uba Christiana, serving as the National Women Abuja Gender Officer, elucidated on the hardships they face. “Many of us have offspring who have graduated but remain unemployed. We are still obligated to provide for them, despite not receiving our pensions.”
Another retiree, Mr. Ekpeyong Francis, who retired as a Chief Accountant from the Federal Ministry of Information in November 2023, expressed dismay at the government’s apathy. “We are 20 months into retirement, and none of us has received any remuneration. We dedicated 35 years of service to this nation, and now we are unable to sustain ourselves or our families.”
The protestors also censured the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), initiated in 2004 with the pledge that retirees would promptly receive their pensions upon retirement. However, the actuality has been starkly different, with retirees waiting over a year without any disbursements. “Upon the introduction of this scheme, we were assured of receiving our benefits on the day of retirement. Yet now, we endure months, even years, devoid of any financial support,” remarked one protestor.
The retirees are imploring the federal government, particularly the Accountant-General, to promptly release their funds, citing the adversity they are enduring. “The Accountant-General disburses funds at their discretion, without regard for the hardship we are enduring,” noted one retiree.
As the protest persists, the retirees have stipulated a deadline for the government to settle their outstanding entitlements by the end of the month.
They are resolute in their determination to persevere for what is rightfully theirs, aspiring for their pleas to be acknowledged and their long-awaited payments to be finally disbursed.
For now, the retirees endure under the scorching sun, advocating for justice, and awaiting a governmental response that may assuage their plight.
