Edo NEPA, PHCN retirees demand N350bn pension payments

On Friday, pensioners from the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) staged a protest in Benin, demanding the payment of over N350 billion in withheld pensions and gratuities. Alile Osakioduwa, representing the retirees, stated that many of their colleagues have died due to financial hardship, and they have not received their entitlements for 25 years.

He claimed that the Federal Government had released the necessary funds to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), but the retirees have yet to receive their payments. Osakioduwa mentioned that retirees from the year 2000 are still owed 45 percent of their gratuity.

Solomon Ifijeh corroborated Osakioduwa's claims, stating that PTAD received the funds in May, with assurances of payment by July, which has not occurred. Ifijeh appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and address the retirees' grievances, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance as many pensioners are suffering from health issues and financial distress.