AKHA explores ways to end Pensioners’ grief

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions says it is exploring ways to arrive at an enduring framework that will end the problem associated with the payment of pension and gratuity to retired staff of the Unified Local Government in the state.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rt.Hon (Barr). Ekong Sampson said that the House was concerned over the plight of the retired workers as some would only expect to be rewarded after having served and retired.

The lawmaker noted that the committee would look into resolving the issues concerning implementation as regards payment of entitlements to the pensioners and assured them that the committee will treat the issue with dispatch.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State branch and Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Mr. Nse Ntuen while appealing to the pensioners to be patient said that ALGON was not directly involved as the 7.5% contributory pension is deducted as first line charge by the Accountant General. He informed the Committee that Local Government Councils neither generate figures nor do they pay pensioners adding that they only contribute their part for payment on a monthly basis.

On his part, the chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Ita Toyo informed the committee that government has been working on the issue and taking gradual steps to solve the mater adding that the issue is at the point of implementation.

He noted that the governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio was aware of the issue and had set up a committee t look into it which the report was presented to him adding that the House of Assembly could raise the matter with the governor.

On his part, the Chairman of National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Comrade Felix Udo expressed dismay that the issue being a serious one has lingered since 2009 where retired Local Government Workers have not been paid their pension. He wondered why there was disparity between retired State Civil Servants and those in the Local Government as the former’s pension takes within a month to be paid.

According to him, there was no reason pensioners should not be paid since they have contributed about N2 billion.

Comrade Udo called on the House to find a way to handle the matter by putting machinery in place.