Defunct Telecom Firms’ Pensioners Lament 3 Years’ Arrears

Pensioners of the defunct NITEL/MTEL have cried out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the non-payment of their 36 months pension arrears.

The spokesperson of the group, Mr Kunle Ojo, who made the call in Abuja, said while the pensioners were grateful to President Tinubu for his continuous efforts to pay their monthly pensions, the outstanding emoluments were yet to be paid.

Ojo said after their appeal in October last year, immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari ordered their outstanding pensions to be paid but nothing was done.

He said, “We thank Mr President for his kind gesture. It shows his deep love for the pioneer builders of the Nigerian project. Yet we are sad to let you know that only a meager fraction of what we are owed was released.

“As it stands, we are still owed 36 months, which the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) at the behest of the Ministry of Finance, promised to clear early this year. The challenges are getting tougher by the day, especially as the year is coming to an end.

“However, up until now, we are yet to receive any joyful news on this very significant balance of 36 months owed us. In the light of this, seeing and having felt the empathetic strength of your government with a listening ear, we appeal once again that you come to our aid using your exalted office to intervene in this settlement of our remaining 36 months arrears as we all are in dire need.

“As we write, many have died and many are decrepit, resulting from the tough challenges that have remained unattended as a result of this deprivation of our arrears,” Ojo said.

The pensioners also said other organisations of similar composition have been settled to the last kobo and that it is only NITEL/MTEL pensioners that remain unattended to.