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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

Gombe pensioners lament poor monthly pay, urge review of benefit

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pensioners in Gombe State, Nigeria, are lamenting extremely low monthly pension payments, with some receiving as little as N9,000.
  • Retirees are struggling to afford basic necessities like food, healthcare, and transportation due to the inadequate payments.
  • They are appealing to the state government to review and increase their pensions, arguing that they face the same economic challenges as active workers.

Pensioners in Gombe State, Nigeria, have voiced strong concerns over their meager monthly pension payments, with some retirees reporting incomes as low as N9,000. This situation makes it increasingly difficult for them to cope with the rising costs of essential goods and services, including food, healthcare, and transportation.

I have a little pension contribution from the state government. I collect N8,000 only.

— Anonymous PensionerA retired individual described the low amount they receive monthly.

Several retirees shared their struggles, with one individual who retired on Grade Level 9 after 16 years of service stating they receive only about N8,000 monthly. This retired journalist highlighted that some pensioners receive even less, with amounts as low as N3,000 or N2,000, underscoring the dire conditions faced by many in the state.

They are paying me N8,000 after retiring on Grade Level 9.

— Anonymous PensionerThe pensioner emphasized their previous position and current low pay.

Another retired senior civil servant, who served for 35 years, described the financial pressure as "harrowing." They emphasized that retirees navigate the same markets with high prices and face similar healthcare and transportation costs as active workers and other residents. The pensioner also noted the burden of competing financial obligations, such as school fees and family responsibilities, which their current pensions cannot cover.

So much so that one can hardly make do with what is forthcoming as pension.

— Anonymous PensionerA retired senior civil servant described the difficulty of living on their pension.

The pensioners are urgently appealing to the Gombe State government for a review and upward revision of their monthly benefits. They argue that retirees should receive consideration and benefit from any improvements in earnings granted to active workers, given that they endure the same economic realities. The retirees expressed a desperate need for financial relief, stating they are "always cap in hand, looking for enhancement in my fortune."

If I am faced with an increase, why not? I am always going cap in hand, looking for enhancement in my fortune.

— Anonymous PensionerThe pensioner expressed a strong desire for an increase in their pension benefits.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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