Pensioners appeal to Niger Gov on their plight, as body losses 200

The Niger State Pensioners under the auspices of Association of New Pensioners has appealed to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to as matter of urgency intervene in their plight said that over 200 had died in the last one year.

The Chairman of the association Alhaji Umar Yahaya Katcha said this Wednesday in Minna at a press briefing that the state Governor signed into law the amended new Contributory Pension Scheme CPS since 6th September, 2017.

Katcha added that despite the executive order to commence monthly pension payment the State Pension Board has refused to fully implement and therefore called for its full implementation.

The Chairman lamented that over 200 of their members had died of starvation, broken homes, children can’t afford to go to schools and cannot afford to pay for their medication when they take ill.

He stated that they would surely mobilize Nigerlites in the forthcoming elections slated for 2019 on who to vote for that would be sympathetic to their plight if nothing is done before then hence they are ready with their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

According to him, their prayers includes Governor should urgently ensure prompt payment of all benefits of the affected retirees, urged the State Assembly through its relevant committee to ascertain the level of compliance with the amended pension law.

He further appealed to the All Progressive Congress APC Chairman in the state and other relevant citizens to passionately urged the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to settle the retirees in the state.

Katcha regretted that the state government had earlier set up committee headed by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso on the pension issues to no avail while the Governor’s Personal Private Secretary (PPS), also met with the association where they arrived at some resolutions but up to date nothing has been done to that effect.