Retired workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have appealed to the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department to release the payment of 21-month accumulated pension arrears totaling N 34, 800, 525, 907. 70.

The senior citizens also appealed to the directorate to defray the additional outstanding monthly pension of N19, 886, 014, 804. 50 owed them.

The pensioners made the appeal through the spokesperson of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Bunmi Ogunkolade.

This is as 474 ex-staff of the NRC have concluded plans to sue the management of the corporation for non-payment of 12 months arrears of 33 percent pension increase, contributory pension, and severance packages.

The NUP spokesperson noted that the ex-workers affected have been left to die of hunger as a result of the non-release of the funds.

“PTAD is owing them N34 billion and an additional N19 billion. It has been held up since 2014.

“The implications are that we are losing our members to avoidable deaths as a result of hunger. They are making life unbearable for them. Some of our members affected have been battling different ailments and can’t afford treatment because they don’t have money to buy drugs.”

In a letter addressed to its National Headquarters, and signed by Branch Chairman of NRC, Razaq Alabi, and Secretary, Johnson Fashakin, the ex – NRC workers listed their outstanding entitlements to include: a balance of 12 months 33 percent pension increase (owed by PTAD) and contributory pension scheme deduction i.e. 13 months (2005 retirees owed by NRC management).

Others are: severance package (a) 10 percent of their gratuity and (b) 10 percent for a year i.e. 2005, harmonisation arrears payment for eight years, payment of arrears of short payment of the new minimum pension increase with effect from 18th April 2019 – Feb 2022 totaling 34 months.

“With your effort and influence, we are very hopeful that we are going to be paid the above-listed entitlements,” the letter added.