Federal Government has been urged to direct the immediate payment of outstanding benefits owed to pensioners in order to alleviate their suffering amid the current economic hardship.
Retired workers of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) made the appeal in response to planned protests being coordinated by some pensioners’ unions, describing the move as timely and necessary.
They expressed concern that despite previous appeals by senior citizens and a presidential directive issued months ago, the matter has remained unresolved for undisclosed reasons.
One of the retirees Alhaji Muhammad Muktari of the NTA was dismayed over alleged refusal by the relevant authorities to implement the presidential directive.
Also reacting, the Coordinator of Federal Pensioners in Lagos Mukailla Ogunbote said organisers of the protests would convene a meeting to strategise and mobilise for massive participation by retirees while soliciting for their cooperation.
SULEIMAN KAURA