Primary school teachers who retired from the state and their next of kin are demanding prompt and timely payment of their pensions, gratuities, and salaries for both retired and serving teachers pending ongoing discussions on local government autonomy.
The senior citizens made this appeal on the heels of delays in pension disbursements, which they described as detrimental to their well-being.
At an enlarged meeting held in Uyo over the weekend, the retirees lamented that pension payments often commence on the 21st of the month, a situation they described as unacceptable.
They called on the state government to address the irregularities and implement a structured payment schedule.
An eight-point resolution at the end of their meeting signed by Rev. Felix Ime Cookey (Chairman) and Hon. Emmanuel Udoaka (Secretary), also decried the non-implementation of the approved N32,000 minimum pension for retirees in the state.
“It has been three months since the N80,000 minimum wage was approved for serving workers, yet pensioners have seen no corresponding increment in their benefits,” they stated.
The group urged the state government to expedite the necessary verification processes to ensure prompt implementation of the new pension structure.
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While expressing appreciation for the payment of the 7.5% pension contribution to contributors, they called for an increase in the number of local government areas per batch for pension settlements to at least ten.
The retirees also raised concerns over the non-payment of pension arrears, stating that some of them have been without their entitlements for over a decade.
“We find the continued withholding of pension arrears deeply distressing. Many of our members who retired under the last administration have endured extreme hardship for over ten years. These unpaid arrears have left them in dire conditions,” they said.
They specifically appealed to Governor Umo Eno to alleviate the plight of retired primary school teachers, emphasising that they remain the only category of retirees still owed pension arrears in the state.
The group also condemned the non-payment of 2013 and 2014 leave grants, urging the governor to intervene in resolving the issue.
Despite their grievances, the retirees commended Governor Eno for his support towards teachers and pensioners in the state, passing a vote of confidence in his leadership.
He added, “We express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (PhD), for his care and commitment to improving the welfare of retirees. Recognising his goodwill, we pledge our unwavering support for his administration and future political aspirations in 2027.”
The retirees also appreciated the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, and the Head of Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, for their dedication to addressing the concerns of retired primary school teachers.
