A group of pensioners under the auspices of Abia Pensioners Forum has cried out against the purported deal between the leadership of Nigeria Union Pensioners, Abia chapter to trade off part of their pensions and their entire gratuity and called on Governor Alex Otti to review it.
In a letter dated 24/05/24 addressed to the chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists endorsed by their coordinator, Barr Okey Kanu and Secretary, Emma Onyenyiri, the group noted that such agreement/ MOU if allowed to stand will mean frittering away the 35 years labour of Pensioners.
According to them, it will also serve as a red flag for serving officers whose morale and commitment to duty will seriously dwindle and passionately appealed to the Governor to reverse the agreement in line with his assurance to the prelate Methodist Church Nigeria of his desire to reverse every policy that negatively affects the masses.
While revealing that it had already written a letter to Governor Alex Otti appealing for the review of the said agreement, the group alleged that the leadership of NUP did not carry the Pensioners along as they hid vital information from the Pensioners while negotiating with the government.
The forum which welcome the commencement of payment of the arrears of pensions and the developmental strides of Governor Alex Otti in the state described pensions and gratuity as entitlements that could not be wished away adding that these are the only assurances that could help retirees manage life in this harsh economy.
The body therefore appealed to Journalists in the state to help draw the attention of the authorities on this dangerous part that could become a bad reference point.
