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Increase Our Pension By 142 Percent

By Ademola Adeyemo, This Day (Lagos)

Nigeria

June 30, 2005

55 Rare old man

Hundreds of pensioners yesterday staged a protest in Ibadan to demand for the payment of 142% pension increase approved by the federal government and also demanded a lump payment of their gratuities.

The pensioners led by their Chairman, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke, barricaded entrances to the secretariat until they were able to meet with Deputy Governor, Chief Alao Akala and Secretary to the government, Mr. Ayodele Adigun, who assured that their demand would be met as soon as possible.

A meeting was also scheduled with the governor for Tuesday, July 5 with a firm assurance that their demands would be met. However, the government in a statement signed by special adviser to the governor on media and strategy, Prince Ade Adekanmbi explained that though it inherited a total of N1.7 billion as unpaid pensions and gratuities for retired-workers, it had however settled the arrears since it came to power in 2003. It also explained that government committed a sum of N82.7 million every month for the payment of pensions while the sum of N100 million was set aside for gratuities every month for workers.

According to Adekanbi, "government has approved the payment of pension for civil servants that retired up to December 2004 and they are already included in the monthly pension's payroll with their arrears paid up. It must be stated categorically that the issue of 142 percent increase for the pensioners is a federal government directive which has not being backed up with necessary funds.

However, Governor Rashidi Ladoja after series of meetings agreed to pay the 142 percent on conditions which are being worked out by the Ministry of Finance.

"Issue of 30,150 and 142 percent pension increase has been on since the period of the military and therefore the present government cannot be held responsible for non payment of the pension arrears," the statement added.


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