Ex-NEPA, PHCN pensioners protest over 25-year unpaid N350bn entitlements

Retired employees of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have staged a protest in Benin, demanding the payment of their pensions and gratuities, which they claim have been withheld for 25 years. The retirees allege that their cumulative outstanding entitlements exceed N350 billion.

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We have been asking for this payment, which the Federal Government has released. Putting everything together, it’s over N350 billion that they are now owing us.

Speaking for the group, Alile Osakioduwa stated that the Federal Government has released the necessary funds to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). However, the retirees have yet to receive payments related to harmonisation, monetisation, and short-paid gratuities, with some dating back to the year 2000. Osakioduwa noted that approximately 45 percent of these gratuities remain unpaid.

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And these accumulations are from harmonisation, monetisation and electricity rebates that they have not paid to us. Including those who retired in the year 2000, their gratuity was short-paid. At least 45 per cent of it is what they are still owing us; they have not paid.

Furthermore, the pensioners reported that they have not benefited from recent pension increments approved by the Federal Government, even under the current administration. The alleged non-payment has led to significant difficulties for many retirees, impacting their ability to cover medical expenses and support their families. "The majority of our pensioners are dying. Many are even sick," Osakioduwa lamented.

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To make matters worse, the new arrears that are being given, let’s say pension increments by the government, even by this present administration of President Bola Tinubu, who has been very friendly to pensioners. Yet, we don’t receive it in NEPA through PTAD.

Another retiree, Solomon Ifijeh, corroborated the claim that PTAD received the funds in May, with assurances of payment by July. "They have received the money. They promised to pay us in July. July has passed, and there is no sign that they want to pay us," Ifijeh said. The retirees appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and direct PTAD to resolve their grievances.

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We are requesting PTAD to do the needful. The majority of our pensioners are dying.Many are even sick. If you can see some of them who are here now, you can see how age has reduced their strength. We worked in NEPA, which later became PHCN.