The Taraba state council of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, joined in the celebration of the Pensioner’s Day in Taraba state on the 11th of December 2019. The day has been set out as a day of celebration of the pensioners nationwide. The event took place at the state council conference hall, Jalingo, the state capital.
The union holds its theme of the year as ‘Minimizing the Pains, Maximizing and Sustaining the Gains.’
Speakingat the event, the Chairman of the Taraba state council of Nigerian Union of Pensioners Mr. KEFAS KATAN expressed gratitude to the State Government for their unrelenting support to the council. The chairman also used the medium to point out the challenges that are facing the council which serves as an impediment to the growth of the union and stumbling block to the attainment of its goals.
Mr Kefas Katan revealed that pensioners in the state were owed upward of N2,000,000,000 as at 2018 but shortly before his re-election in 2018, the executive governor of Taraba state, Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku had commenced offloading the gratuity in peace meals and also sustained in batches with the last batch that was released in November 2019, which he said was in bits but relieved the pensioners, hoping it will soon go round.
The chairman noted however that since the commencement of the gratuity offload, some pensioners have not availed themselves neither has their next of kin turned up to claim their entitlements. He therefore called on the government to recycle the unclaimed benefits into the monthly release so as to carry many people along in order to speed up the process. He also pleaded with the Governor for the increment in the monthly release to meet up with the large crowd, as many pensioners are dying without receiving their entitlements.
Counting the pains of Nigerian Pensioners, Dr Abel O Afolayon , the National President of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners said the pains include noncompliance with section 173 (3) and 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
Dr Abel O Afolayon stated this in a nationwide wide address commemorating the Pensioners Day. In Taraba, the address was read by the Taraba State Secretary of the union Comrade Paul Tyav.
While speaking on the gains of the union Dr Abel O. Afolayon mentioned among others, that the union have participated in the minimum wage committee’s deliberation, visit to the villa, first pensioner, radio in Africa, 106.9 FM called voice of liberation, conclusion of the pensioners’ verification.
The national President used the channel to table the humble demands of the union which includes the creation of the ministry of pension and senior citizen’s affairs, 5% counterpart funding and federal government into local government pension fund, pension to be of first line charge. He also added that appointment of pensioners should be done by government positions, free medical treatment for aged Pensioners and merit awards should be given. Stating that the pensioners need to be given priority and also he will ensure that all the news to be done with his power is done to see that all the pains of the members are mitigated.
