The Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners has hailed the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on the approval of 33 per cent increment for all state pensioners under the Defined Benefits Scheme.

The group also commended him for the approval of the payment of a balance of 25 per cent rent allowance for officers on Grade Level 7 and above who retired from May 2000 to August 2004.

A statement on Thursday said the pensioners spoke at the South-West zonal meeting in Lagos.

The Lagos Chairman of the NUP, Oluremi Johnson, said, “We thank Sanwo-Olu for our monthly pensions being regularly paid and for the online verification exercise which was remarkably successful.”

The pensioners, however, said they were expecting other good health programmes as approved by the governor.

While calling on the Ekiti and Ondo state governors to rise to their responsibilities, the leadership of the zone said the Ogun State government was insensitive to the plight of pensioners.

“Ogun state governor is cautioned for not paying the pensioners. The South-West NUP may be forced to meet the governor for non-payment of gratuities to pensioners and for not being able to meet with us to address issues,” the group said.

By Samson Folarin