IMO PENSIONERS AND NLC STATE CHAIRMAN |
The National Union of Pensioners, NUP Imo state Chapter, has suspended its intended strike action. Given the reason that Nigerian Labour Congress NLC Executives would hold a meeting with the Secretary to the state Government, SGI who doubles as the chairman of payment of pensions in the state on the release of about 4.52 Billion naira pension arrears remaining from the first Paris club fund released by the federal government.
The Second term chairman of NLC, Imo state Chapter, Comrade Austin Chilakpu reassured that the Congress is working in synergy with NUP to ensure outstanding pensions are paid. He reiterated that the Congress keeps records of the incomplete pensions and pending pensions by the state government.
Speaking on the thirty thousand naira minimum wage, recently signed into law, Comrade Chilakpo assured the senior citizens that there with be a corresponding increase in salaries as well as pensions.
He reaffirmed his faith in the incoming government, to ensure workers are paid as at when due.
The National Vice president of Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Chief Emeka Onwumere indicated that the union must exercise patience, and allow the government come up with how and when to pay pensioners before embarking on the strike action.
He expressed his disappointment on
Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha for withholding Paris club fund of five billion naira , released for state governments to clear up their backlogs of pensions. He expressed his optimism that the incoming administration would ensure pensioners are paid alongside with workers.
Narrating the painful experiences of the senior citizens pensioners in the state, last seven years, the acting chairman of the union, Sir James Osuigwe eulogised the unity that exists among South East Forum of NUP, for their supports to the IMO NUP.
He stressed that the only regrets the union had , was the loss of their heroes past, who met their untimely death, due to various unpaid pensions and gratuities .
The chairmen of the south eastern states, Nigerian Union Of Pensioners Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states, made their supports for the union and vowed to fight tenaciously to reclaim their victory.