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Retirees of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have threatened to embark on a nationwide protest over more than 16 years of accrued unpaid pension benefits.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the pensioners, under the aegis of the Nigerian Ports Authority Pensioners Welfare Association, said the protest would commence seven days after the publication if their demands are not met.
The association, led by Charles Ayo Binitie, its president, said the protest could include shutting down seaports across the country.
Binitie said the protest was prompted by the failure of NPA management to implement the constitutionally approved five-year pension increment, which he said had not been applied since 2008.
He lamented that many retirees are living in poverty and struggling to afford healthcare.
“It is sad and regrettable to say the least, that amid the present high inflation rate and economic downturn in Nigeria, only a few NPA retirees receive up to N100,000,while more than 50% of them earn between N50,000, to as low as N30,000 monthly,” he said.
“Notwithstanding the fact that the NPA remains a first grade parastatal like the NNPC, its retirees were paid peanuts, and their so called pay rise falls short of the constitutional provision in Section173, Sub Sect.3.
“The above law states that all pensioners are entitled to pay rise every five years and whenever there is an increase for the in service, however the management just adds whatever amount it likes, which mostly hovers between 3 – 11.5 percent.”
According to Binitie, NPA management has failed to implement the pay rise policy despite efforts by the pensioners union.
He said the association had written to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and the presidency through the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), but no action has been taken.
Binitie dismissed claims that the association is factionalised, noting that past disputes had been resolved through court rulings.
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