The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Lagos State chapter, has vowed to take to the streets in protest against unpaid pensions, poor welfare and outright neglect of its members.

The pensioners, who stated this during a press conference to express their grievances, declared: “We say no to the ‘you’ve retired go-and-die’ attitude of the state government.

The chairman of the group, the Rev. Oluremi Johnson, said several efforts had been made through letters to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to no avail.

He accused government officials of not allowing them access to the governor for meetings and consultations.

Johnson said: “For over two years we have been groping in the dark. If nothing is done after two weeks, we will embark on a protest to press home our demands.

“Mr. Governor sir, your track records as a former Commissioner and former MD/CEO of LSDPC in the state are exceptional.

“However, we noticed that our correspondences to you have not been made available to you by overzealous government officials and this had resulted in our matters not being brought to your attention promptly.

“These include: Strict compliance with the constitutional provision that states pension should be increased every five years or whenever salaries of workers are increased whichever comes earlier in line with Sections 173 (3) and 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“We want a consequential adjustment on our pensions following the consequential adjustment done to workers in 2019.

“Pensioners in Lagos State should also have a living minimum pension of N50,000. It is disheartening to inform you that we still have pensioners earning N1,800 per month in Lagos State.

“Payment of backlog of gratuities and pension arrears; harmonisation of pensions; recognition of members of our union as done to membership of other unions, market women, etc.

“Provision of utility vehicle and office accommodation for our union as was done to our sister unions.” (The Guardian)

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