MILITARY PENSIONERS DECRY NON-PAYMENT OF 53% INCREAMENT

By NBF News

By SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY - National Association of Military Pensioners, yesterday, lamented alleged non- implementation of the 53 per cent increment for retired military officers announced in 2010 by the Federal Government.

In a communiqué at the end of its meeting in Benin City, Edo State by the Acting National Secretary, Mr Patrick Okpaiyo, the association lamented that the Federal Government had allowed retired officers, who fought for the unity of the nation languish in penury.

It noted that the refusal by the Federal Government to effect the 53 per cent pay increase and arrears for all military pensioners with  effect from July 1, 2010, as earlier promised had created bad blood, which according to them, was not in the interest of the country.

'The Federal Government should know that those pensioners are not in their youthful age as none of them is below 60 years. We, the retired veterans no matter the situation in this country deserve better treatment and respect than the one accorded to us today. It is sad that the Federal Government had remained insensitive to our plight and watch our people die in abject poverty,' it said.

The association  urged its members to remain law abiding while they anticipate government's positive reaction.