By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Nigeria Association of Pensioners, Anambra State Council, has intervened in the pathetic situation of Mrs. Fanny Ngozi Uchefuna, a retired Senior Matron who receives a meager N330 as monthly pension.
Mrs. Uchefuna retired on October 21, 1994, from the State Education Commission, with identity card number AN 866 and Njikoka Local Government as her pay point.
The union has written to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, urging him to review and harmonize pension rates in the state.
The letter cites a circular from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, requesting the governor to adopt the new rates.
Additionally, the Retired Directors of the Anambra State Public Service have called for a pension review and harmonization, noting that retirees have not seen an increase since 2003.
They thanked Governor Soludo for the N10,000 awarded to retirees pending harmonization but emphasized the need for expedited action.
The directors pointed out that pensions should be harmonized every five years or whenever salaries are reviewed for serving officers, as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution.
The retired Directors’ communiqué, signed by Chairman Hon. Fidelis Ezeike and Secretary Sir Azuka Okeke, reads:”We heartily thank Prof. Charles Soludo (CON), Governor of Anambra State, for awarding N10,000 to all state government retirees pending pension harmonization in line with the 2024 national minimum wage law.
“We sadly note that a retiree in Anambra State earns only N330 monthly, less than N500. Pensions haven’t been reviewed since 2003, contrary to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates harmonization every five years or with salary reviews.
“We also appreciate the governor’s directive to harmonize pensions; considering the current harsh economic situation; we urge expedited action.
“As pillars of MDAs, we retired directors are disposed to support the government through consultancy services and other ways to transfer knowledge.’
