Pensioners ground public postal services in Lagos

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Pensioners of the Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) have grounded activities of postal services across the country over unpaid pension entitlements. The pensioners insist that until government cleared the backlog of monies owed them, the doors of post offices across the country would remain shut.

“We mean it this time,” said Femi Awolusi, general secretary of the Lagos state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NIPOST). “Since the verification exercise carried out in April, nobody has said anything about payment. Our members are dying due to inability to afford medical treatment.” The pensioners embarked on the shutdown of post offices on Monday protesting what they called neglect by government which they blamed on the incompetence of the postmaster-general.

National Vice Chairman, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Bodunrin Jiddah, told journalists in Ilorin on Monday that it had ordered all its members across the country to effect the closure of post offices nationwide.

According to him, “Workers who retired since 2005 have not been paid their entitlements. The 2005 set, up till now, have not been paid, those who retired 2006 and 2007, are inclusive with debt owing to about 12 months. They continue to promise us that they would pay us. We went for all necessary screenings at Akure and they still promised that they would pay us.”

Mr Awolusi said the postal workers are cooperating with them in solidarity for their plight. “As you can see, the workers have stayed away because we told them that it is our turn today, it could be their turn tomorrow. Look at me, an old man. I have served this country for several years and now I cannot collect my entitlement. Is it fair, he asked. Our members across the country are taking similar action and we will not back down until we are paid.”

Chairman, Kwara State Chapter of the Union, Saliman Akannu, said the refusal of government to pay the pensioners was disrespectful to senior citizens who have served the country. “We are old people and we do not even have money to feed ourselves and cater for our children’s schools fees and upkeep. We cannot even pay our rents. Some of us have been evicted by our landlords. They said our cheque is with the minister and he said the money is too much.” In his reaction, Area Postal Manager, Kwara State, Tunwase Lawrence, said that the federal government was working to pay them. “It is just that the payment has not come. We are appealing to them to be patient. Our people have approached the government and the government said they are working on it. They should please be patient with us,” he pleaded