Esther Salifu
A group of retired military personnel brought activities to a halt at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on Thursday, protesting the non-payment of their entitlements. The retirees are accusing the Federal Government of failing to pay a 20% to 28% salary increment from January to November 2024, as well as other owed payments
The protesters, who came prepared with sleeping mats, chairs, and canopies, are demanding the payment of several benefits, including:
Outstanding palliative payments,from October 2023 to November 2024 ,additional N32,000 to their pensions, bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, refund of deductions made from the pensions of medically boarded soldiers.
Col. Innocent Azubuike (retd.), one of the leaders of the group, expressed the retirees’ frustration, stating that their unpaid entitlements have caused untold hardship. Despite assurances that their entitlements would be cleared in November, they were informed that the payments could not be made due to a lack of cash backing.
“We were told approval has been secured for the payment of our entitlements. The only thing remaining is cash backing,” Azubuike said. “We were told to exercise patience and assured that our long-unpaid entitlements would be settled in November. November is gone, and there is no indication of when this will happen because it’s a matter with the FMoF and not the Ministry of Defence” .
[12/5, 2:25 PM] Yemi: Otti, promises workers early payment of December and 13th month salaries
Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has announced that the state workers will receive their December and 13th month salaries before the 20th of the month, enabling them to shop for Christmas.
The governor assured that just like he did last year, he will pay the 13th month salary.
“I am getting ready, before 20th, we will pay December salaries so that you can be able to shop for Christmas,”he said.
While commending the governor, the NLC chairman, Ogbonnaya Okoro, for his commitment to the welfare of workers and his swift response to address salary structure concerns.
“I want to give you kudos sir, you must succeed, and we are rightly behind you. We will go extra mile to support your administration.
“So, for other issues, after now we will articulate them. We will appreciate you for the ones you have done and will appeal that you attend to the other ones,” Okoro said.
