By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Pensioners in Anambra State have cried out over a 30% deduction from their monthly salary by the Governor Willie Obiano administration.

The pensioners, who lamented that the state civil servants have had salary increased five times, said the governor has refused to implement that of pensioners who were supposed to benefit from such increase.

While threatening to take the matter to court to get Obiano to return all the deductions, the pensioners regretted that the deductions have lasted for about five years.

According to a pensioner who pleaded anonymity, “What we discovered today has overwhelmed us. Nothing can be hidden forever. It was out of curiosity over the meagre amount we earn despite all changes that we decided to do a proper calculation today.

“It is indeed a sad discovery. After all the calculations were made, it was discovered that over N33,000 were monthly deducted from the salaries of pensioners who retired on grade level 16, same applicable to other levels. The deductions go round all levels but the amount depends on the level.

“This has been going on for five years without notice. It’s hard to understand that the pension I received since I retired in 2002 is what I still earn today.

“I retired as a grade 15 officer and from our calculations, I’m supposed to earn about N55,000 as my monthly pensioner, but because of the deduction, I earn only N25,000.

“This is really disheartening. How many things can N50,000 even buy in the market in today’s economy, talk more of N25,000? Why should pensioners be made to suffer this sort of deductions? Is it a crime for one to serve his nation and retire? Is retirement now a death sentence, that people would be stealing monies meant for them? Even a governor will become a retiree someday.”

It was gathered that the Federal Government has been paying federal pensions to state pensioners without deductions.

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