By Amos Aar
AS GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue State approved the payment of N75,000 as the new minimum wage for the state’s workers, the state’s pensioners have called for a similar consideration to address the pressing economic challenges they face.
The new wage, which has already seen partial implementation, is a significant relief for the state’s civil servants.
However, pensioners argue that they are being left behind, with many of them still receiving meager sums that barely cover basic needs.
Speaking to our correspondent on Thursday, Comrade Terungwa Igbe, the Benue State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), revealed that the governor had committed to clearing five months of salary arrears by the end of 2024.
“He has paid two months so far, and we are hopeful he will pay another in November,” Igbe said.
When asked about the impact of the new minimum wage on civil servants, Igbe stated: “The prices of commodities have taken over the minimum wage, but not to say that it isn’t better. It’s a little bit better.”
A civil servant working with the state’s Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, who pleaded anonymity, told National Record that while progress has been made, much work still remain.
“One month’s arrears for 2023 has been paid, but the arrears from 2017, nine months for teachers and five months for civil servants are untouched,” the source revealed.
The worker, who is on grade level 8, shared that his salary had increased from N52,000 to N108,000 following the implementation of the new wage. “The increase has been very helpful. I can now afford foodstuff for my children,” he added.
Pensioners left behind
Despite these gains for civil servants, pensioners feel left out of the governor’s plans.
Comrade Michael Vembe, the Benue State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, highlighted the dire situation pensioners face.
“The arrears for local government pensioners range between 96 and 108 months, inherited from the previous administration. At the state level, the arrears are 42 months,” Vembe said.
On the issue of the minimum wage, Vembe expressed hope that the government would consider pensioners soon.
“We’ve discussed this with the Commissioner for Finance, who said they are working on a package for pensioners. But there’s no timeline yet,” he noted.
Vembe explained the disparity between civil servants and pensioners. “Civil servants used to take home a minimum of N20,000, which has now increased to N75,000. But for pensioners, some were receiving as little as N2,000. Even if the government adds N75,000 to N2,000, it only brings us to N78,000 – still far below what civil servants earn,” he lamented.
He further appealed to the government, stressing the unique challenges pensioners face. “Pensioners are exposed to hazards. They are aged and need drugs and proper feeding. Civil servants don’t face the same level of health risks. We urge the government to prioritise our plight,” he said.
Vembe commended the media for amplifying these concerns, saying, “Your work is crucial in bringing these issues to the government’s attention. I commend you for that.”
As the state celebrates progress for civil servants, the voices of pensioners grow louder, calling for inclusion in the economic benefits to ensure no one is left behind.
