Pensioners in the South-west geo-political zone have decried the persistent delay in the payment of pensions to federal pensioners and state pensioners.

The pensioners, under the auspices of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), described the denial of their dues as cruel and unacceptable, given that senior citizens largely depend on pensions for survival and medical care.

The union also rejected what it described as the illegal registration of the National Association of State Retirees of Nigeria by officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, insisting that the move contravenes the Trade Union Act.

Speaking during the Southwest zonal meeting of the union held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Dr. Olusegun Abatan, State Secretary of the NUP and Public Relations Officer of the Southwest Zone, stated that pensioners across the country were concerned about the continuous delay in pension payments.

According to him, it had become common for pensioners to receive their monthly pensions far into the following month, a situation he said was unbearable for elderly citizens who rely on the money for medication and daily survival.

Abatan appealed to the Federal Government to prioritise prompt payment of pensions, stressing that proper welfare for retirees would also help reduce corruption in public service.

His words: “If the government truly wants to reduce corruption in Nigeria, pensioners must be treated well. When serving workers see retired senior officers languishing in poverty after decades of service, they may be tempted to misuse public resources while still in office.”

The pensioners’ leader also condemned the registration of the National Association of State Retirees of Nigeria, alleging that the process was carried out by overzealous officials in the Ministry of Labour and Employment without due process.