Some retired staff members of the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC) in Yaba, Lagos, have reiterated their appeal to the federal government to settle the backlog of disengagement and re-engagement salary arrears owed to them before their retirement.

The concerned staff members appealed in Lagos on Saturday, citing the increasing cost of living and the urgency of their situation.

Enobong Onwomo, the coordinator of the retired staff, said he was recalled in 2008 and eventually retired in 2018, but he is still owed arrears.

He estimated his outstanding arrears to be close to N2 million. Furthermore, there are 16 other individuals on their list who are also owed various amounts in arrears.

In their pursuit of the resolution, the retired staff sent an appeal letter on October 13, 2021, to the head of service of the federation through the director/principal of FSTC in Yaba, Lagos State.

They included the requested documents, such as letters of first appointment, disengagement from service, and present appointment, as outlined in a letter dated August 31, 2021, from the head of service. Previous letters on the same matter were also sent on July 15, 2021, and November 18, 2022.

Timothy Olubor, another affected retiree, expressed his frustration as he highlighted the plight of catering officers, foremen/craftsmen, laboratory assistants/attendants, watchmen, and cooks at FSTC Yaba.

Mr Olubor disclosed that he is owed three years and six months salary arrears from his re-engagement period between 2018 and 2020.

He pleaded for urgent government intervention, citing unfulfilled promises in the past and the hardship and frustration experienced by his colleagues, some of whom have died while waiting for payment.

“We made this appeal because we realised that it has taken a long time for the payment to come. The combined total of the arrears due to those affected amounts to several million naira.”

(NAN)