By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
The EKiti State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has called on the State government to create the Ministry of Elderly and the Pensioners in order to pay more attention to the welfares of the senior citizens.
The state NUP chairman Elder Joel Akinola who spoke at a special prayers organized for state government observed that many of the past administration in the state paid less attention to the retirement benefits of workers who had served the state in their active age.
He thanked the present administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for placing premium on the welfares of retirees particularly the various efforts and commitment towards offsetting the debts owed pensioners in the state.
Akinola, explained that it is high time government started seeing retirees welfare as a special project different from building white elephant projects. He noted that the current hardship faced by pensioners were becoming unbearable considering the current economic realities brought by the fuel subsidy removal.
The state NUP called for a consequential adjustment in the payment of pensions as well as creating a special health desk for retirees for adequate and prompt attention to those facing health challenges.
He noted that the elders in the state needs a commission that will look after their welfare like that of ministries of women affairs and youth development.
Elder Akinola reminded the government on the unpaid check off dues, and huge debt of gratuity owned by previous administrations in the state.
He also called on the federal government to give palliatives to the Nigeria Pensioners so as to cushion the hardship caused by the removal of petrol subsidy.