NAN-H-86
Pension
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 13, 2016(NAN) The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Chapter, has vacated the 14-day ultimatum it served on the Oyo State Government over the non-payment of pension arrears.
Mr Gbadegesin Akande, the NUP Chairman in the state, said this in Ibadan on Thursday after a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the NUP had on Monday in Ibadan issued the ultimatum to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
It called on the ministry to address the payment of gratuities and monthly pensions of retired primary school teachers and local government staff, saying the union might embark on picketing.
Akande, however, described the NUP’s meeting with the government as peaceful, saying further talks would continue.
“We have been able to discuss the grey areas and we are comfortable now.
“ We hereby vacate the 14-day ultimatum, having seen improvement and assurances of payment,” he said.
Mr Bimbo Kolade, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, also described the meeting as fruitful.
Kolade said that the NUP executives and members at the meeting discovered that government was committed to their welfare, blaming the rift on lack of communication.
He said that money had been released for payment of pensioners, adding that representatives of banks present at the meeting had assured the NUP.
Kolade said that both the NUP and government were aware that the N880 million set aside for payment would not cover all pension arrears, adding that the balance would be paid as agreed.
“The state government has set aside the sum of N250 million for the payment of gratuity.
“ This will be paid after the ongoing verification exercise.
“Let me assure you that the money will be paid from 2008 but will be strictly on merit,” he said. (NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)