Retired primary school teachers in Akwa Ibom State have appealed to the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, not to allow the issue of local government autonomy to affect the smooth payment of pensions, gratuities, and salaries of retired and serving primary school teachers in the state.

The state government has delayed payment of salaries, pensions, and gratuities since the federal government abolished the state joint account with local governments through the local government financial autonomy granted by the President Tinubu-led administration.

Our correspondent gathered that teachers have not received their salaries, while pensioners are still waiting for their stipend for the month of March.

Rising from their enlarged meeting held in Uyo at the weekend to appraise the situation, the retired teachers, in an eight-point resolution, frowned at the situation and urged the state government to reverse the trend as it affects the well-being of both teachers and their retired colleagues.

The resolutions, endorsed by the Chairman, Dr Felix Ime Cookey, and Secretary, Hon Emmanuel Udoaka, decried the non-implementation of thirty-two thousand naira (N32,000.00) as the minimum wage to pensioners in the state.

According to them, “It is three months now after the minimum wage of eighty thousand naira (N80,000.00) only was paid to serving workers.

“The government was implored to conduct the necessary verification to implement the new scheme without further delay for the interest of these aged people.”

The retired teachers also appreciated the state government for the implementation of 7.5 per cent contributions to the contributors, adding that the number of benefitting local government areas should be increased.

“The meeting in-session showed a heartfelt appreciation to the government for the paying of 7.5% pension contribution to the contributors and requested the Government to increase the number of Local Government Areas per batch to ten.

“We observed the continuous withholding of unpaid pension arrears as very harmful to the affected retirees.

“It was noted that these people retired within the last administration and have suffered from great hardship for ten years and above with unpaid pension arrears.

“We appeal to our Passionate Governor to alleviate the sufferings of these people who have been legitimately calling on the Government since 2015.

“It is noted that only Primary School Retirees are owed unpaid pension arrears in this state.

“We also noted with dismay non-payment of 2013 and 2014 leave grant respectively. And pleaded with the Governor for intervention.

“We the Retired School Teachers and the next of kin once again thanked the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (PhD) for the love, care and supports given to teachers, retirees and indeed all Pensioners in the State.” (The Sun)