The Abia State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, has thrown its support for verification exercises on local government pensioners embarked upon by the state government.
NUP said it would wipe out the menace of ghost pensioners in the system.
The acting state Chairman of NUP, Comrade John Ekpendu, gave the support, weekend, in Umuahia in his speech during the 2020 Pensioners’ Day celebration, held at Pensioners’ House, Umuahia.
Ekpendu commended the state government for the recommencement of regular payment of pensions, noting that the conditions of his members were beginning to improve, but urged the state government to maintain the steam in pensioners’ welfare.
He equally demanded that their check-off dues be paid alongside to complete pension payment for the month, while commending his colleagues for their understanding, even in the face of economic hardship.
“I am optimistic that with God on our side, some of the poverty alleviation endeavours we embarked upon for the benefit of our people would soon begin to yield the desired dividends.
“The death in January, 2020, of the indefatigable former NUP State Chairman, Comrade Elder Chukwuma Udensi; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; #EndSars protest; electricity tariff hike; fuel pump price hike among others, significantly affected the living standards of our pensioners within the year under review”, Ekpendu said.
Public Relations Officer of Abia NUP, Rev. Canon Julius Ikpe in his contribution, enjoined the pensioners to live a life that will qualify them to inherit eternal life of glory.
