LET me use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, order state governments to pay the gratuities of retirees within one year of their retirement.
It is so unforunate that retirees go several years without being paid their gratuities. Even they do not get to collect their monthly pension on time, as they are owed several months of salary arrears.
After serving their states for more than 35 years, it is not fair the way pensioners are being treated by state governors in the country today.
I hope the president can give an order for state governors to be paying retirees as at when due. I also hope the National Assembly can criminalise the non-payment of gratuities and pension arrears.
- Isaiah Ida,
Lokoja, Kogi State.
and then