Some National Electric Power Authority (NEPA)/Power Holding Company of Nigeria pensioners on Friday held a peaceful protest at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, demanding payment of pension arrears and other entitlements.

The pensioners carried out the protest under the aegis of Concerned NEPA/PHCN Pensioners.

They said they had been denied various benefits accruing to them from their years of service, and called on the Federal Government to intervene.

Their Lead Coordinator, Murtala Dunmoye, said that some  of their members who retired in 2000 had their terminal emoluments calculated with a  42 per cent shortfall, which, he said, affected their pensions and gratuities.

Mr Dunmoye said the group was also demanding payment of outstanding arrears arising from  harmonisation of pensions, monetisation and other entitlements.

He said that only about 3,000 pensioners received monetisation payments out of more than 4,000 who were qualified.

According to him, some pensioners who retired before 2003 have yet to receive outstanding payments relating to harmonisation of their benefits.

Mr Dunmoye said the pensioners repeatedly engaged relevant authorities over the issues but had yet to get a satisfactory resolution.

He appealed to the Federal Government to intervene and ensure that the outstanding entitlements would be paid to the affected pensioners.

Another pensioner, Julius Ayodeji, said that some pensioners were informed that funds had been released to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for payment of accrued arrears.

Mr Ayodeji said the pensioners were informed that payments would commence in June and run up to December.

He, however, said that amounts received by some pensioners did not correspond with their expectations.

Mr Ayodeji, who retired as a manager in 2000, said he received less than one million naira, while some of his juniors who retired around the same period received higher amounts.

He said he had written to PTAD concerning the situation but had yet to receive a response.

The pensioners urged the Federal Government to look into their claims and ensure payment of appropriate entitlements due to them.

However, a source at PTAD, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the protesters were not affiliated with any of the recognised unions representing electricity-sector workers and pensioners.

The source said the group was not an officially-recognised union but its claims would be presented to the appropriate authorities on Monday.

The source said that his comments did not constitute an official response from PTAD.

(NAN)