The Rivers State Chapter of the Nigeria union of Pensioners has cancelled the celebration of this year’s pensioners day as a mark of sympathy to the over three thousand Pensioners owed Gratuities and initial pension Allowances by the state government after 35 years of service.
Collins Nwankwo, chairman of the Pensioners, and its secretary, Joseph Agbo, in a joint statement said that they find nothing to celebrate when the pensioners in the state are passing through untold hardship due to the inability of the state government to pay pensioners their Initial pension allowance, gratuities.
They also said that the state government has failed to harmonize pension to enable pensioners who still receive two thousand Naira pension monthly to match up with their colleagues who receives Ten Thousand Naira and above.
They urged pensioners to use the occasion to reflect and pray to God to positively change their situation and keep them strong, safe and alive to witness the positive development that next year will bring.
