Anambra House of Assembly to Intervene in University Pensioners Unpaid Entitlements

Anambra State House of Assembly has pledged to intervene in the plight of the non-teaching staff of state owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), where no fewer than 10 retirees died waiting for payment of their pensions.

The House promised to intervene in the matter when university workers who are members of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), under the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions (JAC), visited the Assembly complex as part of a protest action.

The protesters said, “Some of our members have died while waiting for payment of their pension. About 10 of them that we know of have died. On a daily basis, you see our retired members who come to the university gate to beg for money, and we feel pained about their plight.

In response to the protesters, the representative of the House who was sent to represent the Speaker said,

“We feel your pain, and we are happy that as enlightened people from the state’s citadel of learning you decided on a peaceful protest, and that is very much appreciated.”

“The Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Uche Okafor, is unavoidably absent, but he has sent me to represent him and hear from you. We shall ensure that we do the needful by bringing this to the notice of the state governor.

“To assure you of our concern, you will hear from us very soon over this, but we urge you to remain law abiding.”