A civil society organisation, Voice of the Voiceless, has given the Katsina State Government a two-week ultimatum to pay the cumulative pension arrears owed to state pensioners.
The organisation on Saturday warned that failure to comply would lead to legal action.
In a letter to the governor, dated July 3, the group's Chairman, Abdalmumini Shehu Sani, appealed for urgent payment of the arrears, citing the constitutional rights of pensioners.
The letter, titled: "Appeal To Pay Pension Arrears, Palliatives Including Harmonization To Katsina State Pensioners," which was copied to relevant authorities, emphasised the need for the state government to fulfill its obligations to pensioners.
The group demanded 35% increment in line with Section 210 subsection (2) of the 1999 Constitution, harmonisation of pensions in line with Government General Order (GGO), and payment of palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
According to the letter, Katsina State pensioners had only received N9,700 once as palliative, instead of the N25,000 directed by the Federal Government, leaving a balance of six months' palliative owed.
"We are giving the government an ultimatum of two weeks to fulfill the consideration right of the pensioners. Failure to meet the rightful demand will compel us to take legal action through appropriate means," the letter read.
The group emphasised that pensioners' rights are constitutional and not a privilege.
"It's their constitutional right not a privilege having served honestly and diligently for them to be denied the honour to enjoy their benefits, while living and alive," the letter stated.
The Voice of the Voiceless expressed confidence in the integrity of the state government's leadership and its ability to do the needful in considering the demands of the pensioners.
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