Pay us our dues–Pensioners on the Streets, protest against Fed Govt over unpaid allowances

Pensioners on the Streets, protest against Fed Govt over unpaid allowances

Military pensioners have taken to the streets, shutting down the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja’s Central Area in protest.

Arriving as early as 8:10 a.m. on Monday, they blocked the main entrance and set up canopies.

The pensioners, demanding the resolution of their long-standing issues, vowed to remain at the gate until their outstanding allowances from January to November are paid. Their key demands include:

Payment of Palliative Allowances: Immediate disbursement for October and November 2023.
Pension Increase: An additional ₦32,000 to their monthly pensions.
Security Debarment Allowance: Full payment of the owed allowance.
Refund of Deductions: Reimbursement for funds deducted from the pensions of soldiers medically boarded out.

Retired Colonel Innocent Azubuike, speaking on behalf of the protesters, explained that they had been told approval for the payment of their entitlements had been secured, but the delay was due to the lack of cash backing.

He expressed frustration, noting that despite assurances that the payments would be made in November, no progress had been made.

Azubuike clarified that the delay was due to issues with the Federal Ministry of Finance, not the Ministry of Defence.

The pensioners, equipped with chairs, mats, and loudspeakers playing music, made it clear they would not leave until their demands were addressed.

This marks the second protest in less than a month at the same ministry.

Civilian pensioners had recently staged a similar demonstration, blocking the same entrance until the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, assured them that their payments would begin the following week.