936 Retirees Demand Settlement of 20-Year-Old Severance Packages
Retired employees of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) have called on the Federal Government to ensure their inclusion in the upcoming disbursement of President Bola Tinubu’s N758 billion pension bond. The retirees, who have been awaiting their severance packages for over 20 years since NAHCO’s privatization, made the appeal during a press briefing in Lagos on Friday.
General Secretary of the ex-NAHCO workers, Sanmi Alademomi, lamented that despite being part of the Defined Benefits Scheme, they were privatized without receiving their rightful entitlements. A total of 936 retirees have been caught in a prolonged dispute with NAHCO and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) over unpaid benefits, with the matter dragging on for more than four years.
Frustrated by bureaucratic delays, the retirees resorted to legal action to demand their terminal and severance payments. They stressed the urgency of their plight, noting that some of their members have passed away without receiving their entitlements.
Appealing directly to President Tinubu, the retirees urged him to ensure a swift resolution of their case, emphasizing that theirs is a one-time settlement. “We appeal to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that our case is resolved without further delay. Many of our colleagues have died waiting for their entitlements, and we do not want this injustice to continue,” Alademomi said.
The retirees also expressed appreciation for the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), led by Ayodeji Gbeleyi, for its ongoing support in addressing their grievances. They acknowledged the cooperation between NAHCO and PTAD’s legal teams in working toward a resolution.
The ex-NAHCO workers’ appeal highlights the challenges faced by retirees in Nigeria’s privatized sectors, many of whom have been left without their rightful benefits. As the Federal Government prepares to disburse the N758 billion pension bond, the retirees are hopeful that their long-standing issue will finally be resolved.