Pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene over the non-payment of their 35 months pension arrears.
Mr Kunle Ojo, the spokesman of the group, said even though the pensioners are grateful to Tinubu for his continuous effort to pay the monthly pension, the outstanding emoluments of 35 months have not been paid.
According to Ojo, after their appeal in October 2022, former President Muhammadu Buhari ordered their outstanding pension to be paid but nothing has been done over the issue since then.
“We thank Mr President for his kind gesture. It shows his deep love for the pioneer builders of the Nigerian project. Yet we are sad to let you know that only a meagre fraction of what we are owed was released. “As it stands, we are still owed 35 months, which the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) at the behest of the Ministry of Finance, promised to clear last year.
“However, till now, we are yet to receive any joyful news on this very significant balance of 35 months owed us. In the light of this, seeing and having felt the empathetic strength of your government with a listening ear, we appeal once again that you come to our aid using your exalted office to intervene in this settlement of our remaining 35 months arrears as we all are in dire need,” he said.
According to Ojo, many have died and many decrepit, resulting from the tough challenges that have remained unattended.
The pensioners also said other organisations of similar composition have been settled to the last kobo more than a year ago, adding that it is only NITEL/MTEL pensioners that remain unattended to.
“We therefore defer to Your Excellency that your fatherly arm will prevail in this instance on our behalf as we remain loyal and supportive of your government and the Nigerian dream for a better nation for us all,” Ojo added. [Source: Leadership]
