Former Nigeria Airways workers protest non-release of N45 billion pension

Former Nigeria Airways workers protest non-release of N45 billion pension

Erstwhile workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways on Tuesday staged a protest at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos over what they called the prolonged delay and uncertainty over the payment of the N45 billion pension approved for them last year by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The pensioners had blocked the road linking the International wing with the domestic terminals of MMA causing traffic gridlock on the ever busy road.

The protesters singing solidarity song with different placards demand explanation from the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun on why their pension approved since May last year has not been paid.

The protest kicked off from the Skypower Catering Service with hundreds of members participating. They were earlier addressed by their leaders including the Chairman of Nigeria Airways’ branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Comrade Sam Ezene and Engr. Lukman Animasahun.

Nzene announced that the protest would move to Abuja after Wednesday if nothing was heard from the government on the status of their payment.

“The Minister (of Finance, Kemi Adeosun) keeps insisting that National Assembly has to approve and we went to the National Assembly but they said there is nothing on Nigeria Airways at the National Assembly. That is what we have been dragging since September,” he said.