By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Pensioners in Akwa Ibom State who retired before 2012 may have reasons to smile as the state government is considering a memo to increase their pension.
The decision became known by the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong after the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno at Government House Uyo on Wednesday.
Ememobong, in a brief from the Exco decision after receiving a memo proposing an increase in the pension of the affected pensioners, stated that the memo was referred to Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for consultation with local government areas
“The council received a memo proposing an increase in the Pension of pensioners who retired before 2012. The memo was deliberated and referred to HC-Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for consultation with the Local Government Areas. Decision to be taken by next week” Ememobong stated.
Recall recently, pensioners through thier union in the state, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Akwa ibom State Council had lamented their pathetic conditions blaming it to neglect by successive administrations inspite of repeated appeals for attention.
Addressing journalists on behalf of thier members in Uyo, the Chairman of the union and Secretary, Obong Ekpeyong Ekpo and Obong Cosmos Essien respectively, explained that the worsening condition of members of the Union should be a source of concern to government and public spirited Nigerians.
According to the state secretary, “The sad plight of our members is that those who retired in the 1980s with salaries of N1,000, N1,500 or N2,000 are still collecting such funds as pension till date in Akwa Ibom State.
The pensioners however, threatened to embark on mass protest to major streets in Uyo, the state capital to let the world know thier predicament.
Though the date for the protest was not announced during the interaction but the union leaders said that the streets demonstration would wrap up with the blockage of main gate of Government House to press home thier demand.
Meanwhile, four staff of the state’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism have been selected to participate in the 2024 China-Aid Training Programme Seminar on Tourism Capacity Building for English-Speaking African Countries from April 11 to 24, 2024.
This according to information, was contained in a brief presented to the Exco by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Charles Udoh.
