The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, to rescind the decision scrapping the payment of 45 months pension arrears and gratuities owed to retirees in the state.

The union made the appeal in a letter signed by its National President, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, and General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal and addressed to Otti.

The NUP leadership acknowledged Governor Otti?s commitment to pensioners by ensuring prompt payment of monthly pensions since June 2023 but noted that a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the state government and the Abia State NUP Council, was done in error and has generated discontent among retirees.

The NUP urged the governor to set aside the agreement and order a review.

?The union officials signed the MOU in error, but with genuine intention and not to discredit your administration in any way,? part of the letter stated.

NUP insists that pension payments and gratuities should not be tampered with to the detriment of retirees, as provided for in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

?Majority of pensioners disagree to forgo their legitimate entitlements because there was no consent among the members to waive their hard-earned rights,? the union added.

The union appealed to Governor Otti to pay the balance of the 45 months wiped out and ensure the payment of the forgone gratuities.

The NUP added; ?We appeal to you to accept our plea and completely re-examine the earlier areas of pensions paid to the retirees in percentage and pay the remaining balance.

?It is on record that before your administration came to power, Abia State pensioners were virtually not paid their monthly entitlements and at some point, they were even paid in percentage, which is against the extant law that guarantees payment of pension as a right and not a privilege.? (The Nation)

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