The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the immediate payment of the N75,000 palliative approved for vulnerable Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023.
The union said that despite the Federal Government’s approval of the three-month relief package of N25,000 monthly in October 2023, no pensioner across the country has received the payment.
In a letter addressed to the President and signed by the General Secretary of the union, Comrade Godwin Amadin, the NUP expressed concern over the delay, noting that pensioners initially welcomed the initiative with hope amid worsening economic conditions.
According to the union, the non-payment has further increased the hardship faced by senior citizens due to rising costs of food, medicines, transportation and electricity.
“However, we are constrained to inform Your Excellency that no single pensioner has been paid this approved palliative to date,” the union stated.
The NUP noted that many pensioners had dedicated more than 35 years of service to the nation under demanding public service conditions and deserved the support.
The union said the N75,000 intervention would provide much-needed relief for beneficiaries, particularly in meeting food and medical expenses.
It urged President Tinubu to direct the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), to begin immediate payment to eligible pensioners nationwide.
The pensioners also observed that civil servants had already benefited from similar palliative payments, while retirees had continued to wait for almost three years.
The union disclosed that it had submitted verified data of pensioners to NASSCO to ensure transparent and direct payment.
While commending the President for the regular payment of pensions and the approval of N25 billion for pension harmonisation and settlement of arrears, the NUP appealed for urgent intervention on the outstanding palliative.
The union reaffirmed its confidence in the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and urged the President to ensure that pensioners are not left behind.
