Some NEPA/PHCN pensioners on Friday held a peaceful protest at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, demanding payment of pension arrears and other entitlements.
The pensioners staged the protest under the aegis of Concerned NEPA/PHCN Pensioners.
They said they had been denied various benefits accruing to them from their years of service and called on the Federal Government to intervene.
Their Lead Coordinator, Mr Murtala Dunmoye, said some of their members who retired in 2000 had their terminal emoluments calculated with a 42 per cent shortfall, which affected their pensions and gratuities.
Dunmoye said the group was also demanding payment of outstanding arrears arising from the harmonisation of pensions, monetisation and other entitlements.
He said only about 3,000 pensioners had received monetisation payments out of more than 4,000 who were qualified.
According to him, some pensioners who retired before 2003 have yet to receive outstanding payments relating to the harmonisation of their benefits.
Dunmoye said the pensioners had repeatedly engaged relevant authorities over the issues but had yet to get a satisfactory resolution.
He appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and ensure that the outstanding entitlements are paid to the affected pensioners.
Another pensioner, Mr Julius Ayodeji, said some pensioners were informed that funds had been released to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for payment of accrued arrears.
Ayodeji said the pensioners were told that payments would commence in June and run up to December.
He, however, said the amounts received by some pensioners did not correspond with their expectations.
Ayodeji, who retired as a manager in 2000, said he received less than one million naira, while some of his juniors who retired around the same period received higher amounts.
He said he had written to PTAD concerning the situation but had yet to receive a response.
The pensioners urged the Federal Government to look into their claims and ensure payment of appropriate entitlements to them.
However, a source at PTAD, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the protesters were not affiliated with any of the recognised unions representing electricity-sector workers and pensioners.
The source said the group was not an officially recognised union but its claims would be presented to the appropriate authorities on Monday.
The source added that his comments did not constitute an official response from PTAD.
