By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Many Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) retirees in Kogi State have embarked on full-scale prayer and fasting, seeking timely and seamless implementation of the long-awaited payment of their allowances by the Federal Government.
Our correspondent recalls that the Senate approved of ₦757 billion for the payment of CPS allowances and other pension-related matters about a month ago, sequel to the presentation of the amount to it by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approval.pl
Our correspondent,who visited some churches on Sunday and mosques in Lokoja on Monday reports that the issue of payment of the CPS retirees’ payment of allowances featured prominently in the sermons offered by clerics.
Our correspondent who visited some churches on Sunday and mosques in Gadumo quarters in Lokoja on Monday respectively, reports that prayers for timely payment of CPS retirees’ allowances featured prominently in sermons delivered by clerics of the two predominant religions.
For instance, Prophet Segun Aiyeniko, a member of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme section, in the state, in the WhatsApp platform of the branch ,on Sunday,reminded members of about the planned fasting and prayer,on Monday ,as they await the commencement of payment.
“Please don’t forget our fasting and prayer tomorrow,” he urged.
Other members followed suit, flooding the platform with various prayers.
However, the National Chairman of the union, Mr. Sylva Nwaiwu, who addressed members on Sunday, through voice message relayed on the social media platforms of the union,assured members that the payment of their allowances would soon commence.
According to him,CPS retirees are now are closer,than ever, to receiving their long-awaited allowances, as the payment process has reached the Debt Management Office (DMO).
He said: “We are on the right track at the DMO, and we assure you that we are closer to payment day than ever before.”
Mr. Nwaiwu expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Federal Executive Council members for their commitment to the welfare of retirees in the country.
“We owe this government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, a lot of thanks, as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Honourable Minister of Finance,that Godly man.
“Everything he told us on the day of our protest has come to pass. “We are grateful to all these Nigerians whom God has decided to use to wipe away our tears at this time,” he said.
The NUPCPS national chairman urged members to remain patient, assuring them that payment will be made “very soon” and that all CPS retirees would receive their allowances in full.
