Hundreds of Lagos pensioners under the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme, marched through parts of the state on Monday in a warning protest over the delayed implementation of a pension increase they said had been approved but was yet to be effected by the state government and the Lagos State Pension Commission.
The pensioners accused the government and the commission of dragging their feet on the payment of the increase, despite previous assurances that the adjustment would be implemented.
They warned that failure by the government to respond positively by August 31 would trigger a larger protest in Lagos.
The protesters said they were particularly concerned that the delay could extend beyond the tenure of the present administration, leaving elderly pensioners to continue bearing the effects of rising living costs.
Speaking to The PUNCH on Monday, the union’s secretary, Olagbaye Johnson, said the demonstration was intended to give the government a final opportunity to resolve the matter before a larger mobilisation.
