The Abia chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has again called on the state government to implement the harmonised pension scheme in the state.
The state Chairman of the union, Mr Chukwuma Udensi, made the call on Friday in his address at the celebration of this year’s Pensioners’ Day in Umuahia.

He said the state government’s failure to implement the scheme had worsened the plight of pensioners in the state.
Udensi said that some pensioners in the state ‘’earn as low as N450 per month’’ due to the non-implementation of the harmonised pension.

‘’The reason for this situation is because the Government of Abia refused to harmonise pensions in the state by implementing the six-and-a-half per cent, 15 and half per cent and 53 ½ per cent increases awarded to pensioners by the Federal Government.’’

The chairman said that other states had already paid the increase, adding that the immediate past administration in the state refused to pay the harmonized pension arrears of 59 months compiled in 2014.

Udensi further said that the five-and-a-half years’ arrears of monthly pensions owed to retired primary school teachers between 2002 and 2007 approved by the Federal Government had yet to be paid by the state.

He also wondered why the pension arrears were not paid with the bailout fund in line with the directive of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu.

Udensi urged the government to pay the arrears without further delay.
He described as ‘’pitiable,’’ the fact that many pensioners, who retired 15 years ago, had not received a dime of their gratuity.

He said that the situation had left pensioners in a state of hopelessness.
The union chairman decried the de-listing of the names of non-indigenous pensioners from the state nominal roll.

He described the policy which was introduced by the last administration as ‘’unfair and discriminatory''.
‘’We appeal to your administration to rescind this policy and recall the affected pensioners of Anambra State in particular and other areas.’’

A pensioner, Mr Mike Nwachukwu, who was the chairman of the ceremony, called for the reform of the state pension’s board in order to reduce the sufferings confronting pensioners in the state.

Nwachkwu said that pensioners in the state were passing through serious ordeal, hence the need for the board to undergo a ‘’surgical operation'' to make things better for pensioners.

The highlights of the celebration included lectures on nutrition, aging without stress and a bible exhortation.