Pensioners in the country have expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for offsetting 12 months arrears out of the backlog of 42 months arrears of the 33 per cent pension increase owed them.
This is just as they urged the government to ensure that the balance of 30 months was cleared early so that they could enjoy the fruits of their labour and other benefits while still alive.
The pensioners, who spoke under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, said they were full of joy and praises for the government for the pleasant surprise payment of the 12 months arrears, which they noted came at a time when ordinary Nigerians, including the pensioners, were feeding from hand to mouth.
A statement signed by National President of NUP, Dr A.O Afolayan and General Secretary, Mr Actor Zal, on Monday in Abuja, the beneficiaries said it was a dream come true when the Federal Civil and Para-military pensioners started receiving payment alert for the payment of 12 months arrears out of the 42 months owed them by the Federal Government.
The statement described the gesture as indeed a big relief to the pensioners and commended the efforts of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and its new management under the leadership of the new acting Director-General, whose initiative resulted into the payment.
“The union, through its leadership, hereby, expresses satisfaction with the payment which came at the time Nigerian masses are going through hard times and opined that this is, indeed, the beginning of good things that will happen to Nigeria and, indeed, Nigerians in line with the saying that after the rain comes the sunshine”, the statement read.
