By Appolos Christian
Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners’ Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN), has urged President Mohammadu Buhari and the Presidential Task Force on Palliatives, to kindly include vulnerable Nigerian pensioners in the COVID-19 palliative provision in order the cushion the hardship of the senior citizens during the lockdown period.
President-General of the Association, Chief Temple Ubani, in a statement said that the call to include pensioners was necessitated by the apparent perennial vulnerability of pensioners in the country, which has been exacerbated by the strict lockdown of States and Federal Capital Territory.
Ubani, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said that pensioners need money to procure both drugs and other necessary needs to stay live while the lockdown lasts.
“We most humbly request the President to please include Nigerian Retirees spread all over the Nigerian States and the FCT in the palliatives meant for distribution to vulnerable Nigerians. Pensioners are among the most vulnerable in any community because of their age and health.
“These Pensioners can be reached most effectively through their pay-points; such as: The Treasury Funded through PTAD, The Self Funding and Private Sector Pensioners through their former Employers and, The Contributory Pensioners through their PFAs.
“Though our Union was registered to care for Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners in Nigeria, in a matter like this, we are under obligation to be our brothers keeper, hence the general appeal for all Pensioners.
“We appeal to Government to avoid sending palliatives meant for the vulnerable Nigerian Pensioners to none pensioners for distribution or adopt any other distribution mode that will work hardship for the Pensioners, especially the Federal Government funded and Private Sector Pensioners.” The statement, stated.
The FEPPPAN President-General, also went on to praised pensioners across the country for adhearing to government’s stay home and stay safe order, as a measure to curtail the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
