The Kaduna State College of Education Retirees Association has once again issued an appeal to the State Governor, Uba Sani, urging the timely disbursement of their gratuities and pension payments.
This plea was expressed in a communiqué jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Association, Bulus Kajang and Emmanuel Nkom, respectively. The communiqué was released to the press in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area, over the weekend.
In their statement, the retirees also extended a request to meet with the governor personally, intending to present their challenges and seek viable solutions to the ongoing hardships they have endured for more than seven years.
The retirees had previously written a letter to Governor Sani in July, highlighting the disparity between the prompt benefits awarded to retirees and the prolonged delay in receiving their own entitled benefits. They emphasized how this delay had left them in distressing circumstances, despite dedicating their most productive years to public service.
Many members of the association find it increasingly difficult to meet their basic needs, including medical expenses, utility bills, and school fees for their children. They stressed that they are among the vulnerable members of society and requested the government to provide palliatives to alleviate their situation.
The retirees also acknowledged the challenging economic climate in the country, affecting even those with current sources of income. However, they emphasized that the impact is far more severe on retirees who lack an alternative source of income.
In light of these challenges, the group earnestly implored Governor Sani to authorize the prompt payment of their long-overdue entitlements, providing much-needed relief to the retirees who have served their state diligently.
This appeal comes at a time when pensioners’ rights and welfare remain critical issues, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to this heartfelt plea.