The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ekiti chapter, has appealed to the State and Federal Government to extend palliative support to its members, to cushion the effect of the lockdown declared to check the spread of Covid-19.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the union, Ayo Kumapayi and Secretary, Azeez Agbaje issued to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.
According to the statement, the request for palliative for pensioners became necessary following the extension of the Covid-19 lockdown by two weeks.
It noted that the lockdown has subjected many pensioners to hunger and untold hardships thus resulting in health complications and even death of some of them.
“While we commend our government for their efforts to cushion the effects of this pandemic on the vulnerable citizens, it is important to call their attention to the plight of our members.
“We have recorded several death of our members since this lockdown began, most of them, especially from 70 years above are now in critical condition due to hunger.
“The lockdown is a double jeopardy on our members, because some of them were still being owed pension by government while their children who were supposed to provide for their food are also trapped in the locked down,” the statement said.
“In addition, many Samaritans have also deserted our members based on the directives of government on the need for people to avoid contact with the aged for now.
“It is very important that our governments reach out to our members through the route used for the payment of their pension and allowances or pass through the union so as to save them from untimely death.”
The statement added that the cash transfer scheme of the Federal government ought to have captured pensioners as they are among the venerable persons in the society based on their age and health conditions.
“We are begging our governments, corporate bodies and individuals to save our souls and reach out to our members,” the pensioners union said.
