Retired primary school teachers in Enugu State yesterday cried out over non-payment of their pension arrears for 27 months.
They also lamented that some of them were yet to receive their gratuities after retirement since 2002.
The teachers from the three senatorial zones disclosed their plight during a courtesy visit to the House of Assembly Speaker, Edward Ubosi, in his office.
A delegation of the retired teachers led by their Chairman, Matthias Onovo, and Secretary, Ben Nwachi, said they had written to relevant authorities in the past without result.
They said some of their colleagues had died, while many were bed-ridden for lack of fund for medical care.
“Having exhausted every avenue possible to see that the past administration paid us, we are now calling on you, distinguished Speaker, to help us out,” they pleaded.
They listed other grievances to include harmonisation arrears, 33 percent pension increases, irregularities in payment of monthly pensions, and non-implementation of promotion received after retirement.
Responding, Ubosi assured the retired teachers that something would be done to alleviate their sufferings: “Your labours will never go in vain. You have laboured and you deserve to be paid.”
The Speaker said they came at the right time when the government had set up an audit committee of the local government, of which he is the chairman, noting that the issue of teachers, as well as pensioners was part of the terms of reference given by the governor.
He thanked them for making the submission that would serve as guide to the audit committee set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration to look into the rot in the councils. (National Mirror)
