Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN), has rejected the payment of N500 million quarterly by the Ogun State government to offset outstanding N68 billion.
The association said, the government should instead increase the N500m to N2bn to allow a substantial number of its members receive their gratuities while they are still alive.
The chairman of the association, Chief Sikiru Ayilara made their position known during a press briefing, held at association’s secretariat in Ita-Oshin, Abeokuta Ogun State.
According to him, “It remains a fact that failure on the part of any governments at all levels to take proper care of retirees will no doubt discourages patriotism thus encourages taking undue advantage of public fund.
“Facing the reality at eleventh hour of our lives, that Gov Dapo Abiodun in whom we nurtured brighter hope of receiving the fruitage of our hard labour, has resolved to treat us as ‘used and dumped’ is nothing but a distressing reality.
“How on earth will a Governor – a mortal – chooses to ignore fourteen letters from the Senior Citizens (the aged) who as a result of the neglect die as chickens after 35 years of patriotic service to the State. What a disrespectful Governor to humanity, most especially, the aged!
“It appears we will have no other options than to persuade our children to work against his re-election in 2023.
“The truth is, in the last three years, Gov Abiodun has been giving flimsy excuses; insufficient funds to clear the ₦68bn. “
“Whereas, Gov Zulum of Borno State, in spite of the incessant insurgencies in the state, was able to source for sufficient fund to pay ₦12bn outstanding Gratuity in one day.
“Gov Seyi Makinde received an Award recently through his Commissioner of Information being a friend of Pensioners for his sincerity of purpose towards payment of gratuity. Of recent, Makinde paid ₦8bn outstanding Gratuity in a day; a State with low IGR compared to Ogun State of Prince Dapọ Abiodun.
“Gov Oyetola has paid over ₦40bn within the last three years, in addition to the lastest ₦708m to 300 retirees.
“Gov Sanwo-Olu who makes sure Pensioners get deserved priority has paid ₦32.8bn Gratuity for 8,170 retirees in two years.
“After all, former Governor Gbenga Daniel paid all outstanding gratuity in one day.
“Our (Local Govt Pensioners) demand is quite different from what State Pensioners (NUP) want; on our own, we are requesting the following;
“We are not only asking for the implementation of 33.4% increase in Pensions which could only peg the monthly minimum Pensions at N7,000. We want immediate harmonization of monthly pension from ₦5,000 to start from at least ₦30,000 or how would Mr Governor expects Pensioners who have worked for between ten and thirty-five years to continue receiving ₦5,000 as monthly pension in a State that pays ₦30,500 as minimum wage!
“We don’t want the payment of ₦1.5bn arrears of the quarterly ₦500m as requested by the NUP, all that we are asking for is the re-scheduling of outstanding Gratuity payment from ₦500m every three months to at least ₦2bn monthly, so that we can receive our Gratuity while alive.
“And thirdly, Gov Abiodun should restore the principal responsibility of Bureau of Local Govt Pension by directing the Ministry of Finance to handoff from doing the payment of Gratuity.
“Whatever reasons, it’s a sin against God and humanity that His Excellency has refused to meet with us.
“Gov Abiodun’s non-clearing of our Gratuities is even a dishonour to all fathers and mothers, particularly his own father who appealed to him at the point of death to cater for the aged”.
