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…Hails President Tinubu On Fubara’s Reinstatement
By: Bethel Toby
A member of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners ( NUP), Rivers State Chapter, Mrs Georgia Donald Hart, has tasked government at all levels, especially the Rivers State Government(RSG), under the watch of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to place high premium on prompt payment of gratuities and pensions to retirees, including an upward review of the increments in their current pension allowances.
Speaking with PH Mundial recently in Port-Harcourt on the poor spate of payment of gratuities and pensions to retirees by some state governments in Nigeria, Hart posited that delayed payment of pensioners’ entitlements, and non-upward increments of their pension allowances, is injurious to the society, adding that regular payment of pensioners’ gratuities and other benefits would lead to establishment of small business both in the state in particular and Nigeria in general by the retirees, which, in turn, encourages them to fend for themselves and their families.
The education advocate said that construction of roads, bridges and other Infrastructural facilities should not be placed over and above payment of retirees’ entitlements.
”We are not saying that the provision of infrastructure is not good, but it is only the worker that is alive and healthy that can make use of those facilities.
” Retirees’ who served their various states creditably should not be left out to struggle. They deserve timely gratuities and proper training, as well as, upward increments of their pensions by the state and federal governments, which will help them to transit smoothly into post-service life.
”During their active years, they raised the bar of leadership and governance for the economic prosperity of the state and country”, Hart posited.
Hart further urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to establish a foundation for retirees’ from the state, specifically to provide free medical check up, promotion of small and medium scale businesses with at least a starting sum of #1,000, 000 and #500, 000, which will enables themo venture into a productive means of livelihood, that in turn, will help them and their families.
She emphasized the importance of honouring those of them, who dedicated their lives to public service, saying, “Retirement should not mean abandonment. These individuals have given their best years to the growth of our society, and we must ensure they are not left to suffer”.
Meanwhile, Mrs Georgia Donald Hart, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the re-instatement of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, members of the Rivers State Assembly, and other democratic stakeholders in the state, after lifting the emergency rule on the state on March 18, 2025, as a result of the political impasse created by enemies of Rivers progress.
Hart described the president action as a welcome development, where she admonished the Martins Amaewhule- led State Assembly to shun politics of calumny, and join force with the governor to build better development bridges for Rivers people’s future.
She cautioned against bickering, self-! centeredness, hate speeches and inordinate ambition, which, according to her, will not augur well in their respective services to Rivers people.
” I used this opportunity to enjoined our lawmakers to nip in the bud all grievances, and work together with the governor and his team of technocrats, to move the state forward developmentally.
She, however, congratulated Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, members of the State Assembly, and other stakeholders on their return to the business of governance in the state.
