PENSIONERS IN ABIA STATE CRY FOR HELP

Pensioners in Abia State have been advised not to lose their trust in God in the face of frustration arising from several months of pension owed them.

A Clergyman, the Reverend Christopher Anarugo gave the advice in his remarks during the pensioners’ day celebration in Umuahia.

According to the clergy, God was capable of visiting the aged in their various needs and worry, stressing that worry had never solved any problem rather increased the chance of getting ill.

He therefore urged to pensioners to put their hope in God for a turn around in their travails.

Earlier in an opening remark, the former Chairman of Local Government Civil Service Commission in the State, Chief Dan Egbogu pointed out the need for pensioners to keep fighting for their right, but suggested they do it without violence.

In an address, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Abia State, Comrade Chukwuma Udensi regretted that government only listened to demonstrations by workers and pensioners and said they would engage in protest to press for payment of backlog of pension owed them.

He however opined that Government should devote some percentage of funds for payment of pensioners according to year of retirement and on monthly basis.

He maintained that pensioners in the state had gone through a harrowing experience due to lack of payment of pension and called on government to come to their aid.

GINIKA OLUOHA