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Pensioners Threaten Nationwide Protest Over Delayed N32,000 Pension Increase

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 30th, 2024.

Pensioners Threaten Nationwide Protest Over Delayed N32,000 Pension Increase

Federal pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) are planning a protest to demand the fulfillment of a promised N32,000 pension increase. The pensioners have written to the Coordinating Minister of Finance and National Economy, Wale Edun, urging the government to implement the increase, which was initially announced following the introduction of the N70,000 minimum wage for public workers.

In a letter dated November 25, 2024, the pensioners’ union expressed their frustration, stating that despite assurances, the promised N32,000 increase had not been credited to their accounts. The pensioners had previously held a peaceful demonstration at the Ministry of Finance on November 12, 2024, where they commended the minister for his respectful handling of their concerns. However, they stressed that they would not back down until the promised payment was made.

The letter further outlined their planned course of action, stating that starting at noon on December 16, 2024, all CPS retirees across the country would converge at the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation in Abuja, where they would remain until their demands are met.

The pensioners are calling for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the Contributory Pension Scheme and to take immediate steps to settle all outstanding liabilities before December 16, 2024. They warned that failure to meet their demands would lead to continued protests, with retirees turning the Finance Ministry and Accountant-General’s Office into their “homes” until action is taken.

“We demand the immediate payment of the N32,000 pension increase for every retiree, as promised. The government must act swiftly, or we will be left with no choice but to escalate our protest,” the letter concluded.