By Francis Sadhere
Hundreds of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) retirees of Warri Ports barricaded the gate of Warri ports in protest of unpaid retirement benefits since 2006/2007.
The placard carrying protesters who thronged the ports in their numbers said they have been suffering since they were retired since 2006, adding that despite series of petition written to the authorities of the Nigeria Ports Authority nothing had been done to pay them their retirement benefits.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read; “Adebayo Sarumi, you retired alongside with us as MD in 2006/2007. You are on pension, what about us. Is it fair,” “30 years of fruitful service without pension Habib Abdulahi Managing Director (NPA) Tell Nigerians why,” “Mr. President Must Hear This. NPA has refused to implement Federal Government Circular 2009 directing we be placed on pension,” “Adebayo Sarumi, You Kill Our Members, God will Judge You. NPA Retirees, 2006/2007.”
Addressing the protesters, the National Chairman of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, CDHR, Mr. Sunny Enenuwedia, said the committee was solidly behind the protesters, promising them that they were going to going join them in fighting for their Rights.
He said the retirees have the right to fight for their rights, stressing that they nobody can stop them from fighting for their rights as their rights was been protected in the constitution of Nigeria.
According to Enenuwedia said; “Having worked for the country for over ten years what you have worked, you must reap from it. What you have worked for in NPA you will need to enjoy it unlike out politicians who reap where they did not sow. NP 2006/2007 wants their retirement benefits. You are entitled to your retirement benefits and they cannot take it from your.
“We shall lead our protest to the national body of the Nigeria Union of Pensioneers. They will address it and they will make sure that your money is paid. If they did not pay then they are looking for trouble. You can bring your bags, your mattress and occupy NPA. We are solidly behind you. Take it by faith that your demands will come to past. You see what is happening in PHCN today and that is why it is difficult for them to handover PHCN to private investors. And this is why the Union said they must pay them before anything,” Enenuwedia assured the protesters.
He therefore called on the Federal and state governments to come to the aid of the retirees and ensure that their benefits are paid; saying that they have served the country diligently and therefore they cannot afford to abandon them in their needs.
He however added that the management of the NPA has failed in their duties to protect their worker who he said have worked diligently for the country.
Also addressing the protesters, the Chairman of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Delta State Chapter, Barrister Benefit Orugbo also assured the retirees that CDHR share their pains and that they will refer their case to the national body who will help them fight for their rights.
One of the retirees who spoke to our correspondent, Mr. Benjamin Ejemudie said they came out to protest because after working for thirty years they were retired without pension or benefit, adding despite series of petition they have been writing since the time of late President Yar’Adua nothing good had come out of it.
