Kogi pensioners are happy for the regular pay, especially the state pensioners. The local government pensioners are at the receiving end of pains and hardship.
We the elderstatesmen are fully convinced that most of our sufferings and pains are not known to His Excellency.
Sir, for the past three years, these vulnerable set of people have been receiving half pay. This payment is then paid at anytime after all workers are paid.
Your Excellency, you will not believe that many pensioners in the local government receive less than N5,000. Some who retired on Grade Level 16 still receive less than N18,000.
It is on record that when bail out was paid to workers, some local governments like Yagba West paid the 13 months fully. But many local governments, including the writer’s, was paid 60% of the thirteen months. Knowing fully that pensioners can not strike or protest, no effort was made to pay this balance up till date.
Sir, those teachers who retired in 2013 and 2014 were placed on 60% minimum wage pension while those in the local government commission were fully placed both pension and gratuity.
Your Excellency, we believe you will act and put smiles on the faces of these dying pensioners.
Our urgent demand is to review the pension pay in Kogi state to go in line with the N18,000 minimum wage. We are not even struggling for N30,000 minimum wage but review so as to enable the least pensioner go home with N15,000.
Secondly, the payment of half pension should stop immediately through your directives to the local government pension board in Lokoja.
Third. Pensioners should be first line charge. They should be paid first before other workers.
We all pray to retire and enjoy the fruits of our labour. Put a smile on our mouths and let them pray for you.
Excellency, if these are done, most of the untimely deaths will reduce. Many of us are on hypertension and diabetes drugs. These peanuts are not enough to feed talk less of buying costly drugs which, if not bought on time, will lead to death. Not only that, we still have children and grand children in school which fees must be paid.
God bless your listening ears.
– Comrade Elesho Joseph
Isanlu, Yagba East LGA, Kogi State
