NEPA, PHCN Pensioners Demand N350bn in Unpaid Benefits

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 their unpaid pensions and gratuities, which they claim have been withheld for 25 years. The retirees, represented by Alile Osakioduwa, allege that their total outstanding entitlements exceed N350 billion.

They assert that the Federal Government has released these funds to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), but they have yet to receive any payments. Osakioduwa mentioned that many retirees, including those who retired in 2000, have not received their full gratuities.

Solomon Ifijeh corroborated the claims, stating that PTAD received the funds in May and was promised payments by July, which have not materialized. The retirees are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure their grievances are addressed, as many are suffering due to the lack of financial support for medical expenses and family needs.