The controversy over pension payments in Anambra State has taken a fresh turn, with the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) demanding the harmonisation of pensions and payment of outstanding arrears, while the state government insists that all inherited pension and gratuity obligations have been settled.
The pensioners, led by the State Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Anthony Ugozor and ABC Ubani, respectively, made their position known at a press conference in Awka, the state capital, last week, during a meeting of the union.
They alleged that many retirees were facing severe hardship as a result of what they described as inadequate and non-harmonised pension payments.
The union called on the Anambra State Government to urgently harmonise pensions, settle any outstanding arrears and improve the welfare of retirees across the state.
According to the pensioners, some retirees who served the state for decades are receiving pensions they consider grossly inadequate in view of current economic realities.
They cited the case of a pensioner who retired on Grade Level 16 in 2010 and currently receives about ₦81,000 monthly, noting that the amount is only ₦1,000 below the ₦82,000 minimum wage for a newly employed worker.
The pensioners argued that the disparity had placed many retirees under serious financial pressure, particularly amid rising costs of food, healthcare and other necessities.
They further claimed that some pensioners were dying from hunger and preventable illnesses, and appealed to the government to take urgent steps to address what they described as the worsening plight of retirees.
However, the state government has disputed claims that the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo failed to clear inherited pension arrears.
Speaking with journalists at his office at the Anambra State Secretariat in Awka on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Dr Law Mefor, said claims that the Soludo administration had failed to settle inherited pension and gratuity liabilities were inaccurate.
Mefor maintained that, based on government records, all pension and gratuity arrears inherited by the present administration had been cleared.
He, however, acknowledged that there could be individual cases requiring further verification, particularly where technical or administrative issues might have affected payments.
The commissioner urged pensioners who believed they were still being owed to approach the appropriate government authorities with their records so that their claims could be properly investigated.
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He said it would be necessary to establish the exact nature of any outstanding obligation before attributing responsibility, particularly in cases involving local government pensioners.
According to him, “the current arrangement places responsibilities relating to local government affairs, including certain pension matters, on the respective local government administrations, making it necessary to examine individual council records where complaints arise.
“Also, claims involving primary school pension arrears might require further clarification, especially where payments may have been made by local government administrations before the current administration.”
He stressed that the government was prepared to investigate genuine complaints and resolve verified administrative or technical challenges.
The commissioner said the government remained committed to the welfare of pensioners but urged retirees and other stakeholders to verify information before making public accusations.
