NIPOST Pensioners Plan Protest In PH, Today

Pensioners of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Port Harcourt Territorial Headquarters, have threatened to carry out a protest in Port Harcourt today to express their rejection of alleged insensitivity of government to their plight.

The Tide gathered that the aggrieved pensioners plan to seal off the territorial headquarters along Station Road, Port Harcourt, lock all offices and prevent workers from entering their offices.

The protest, which a source disclosed would commence this morning, is part of series of steps to show their grievances to the world.

A delegation of the NIPOST pensioners, The Tide gathered had yesterday morning sent an advance notice of their plans to the management of NIPOST in Port Harcourt.

When The Tide contacted management of the organisation yesterday, the Public Relations Officer, Mr Godwin Akpan confirmed the development.

“A delegation of the aggrieved pensioners came today (yesterday) to inform us that they will lock up offices here as part of their protest over non payment of their ten month areas,” said Mr Akpan.

In an interview with our reporter, the image maker of the company appealed to the workers to stop such plans as according to him, it is a national issue which is beyond the powers of the territorial office.

He explained that the Federal Government was not insensitive to their plight, adding that steps were being taken by the appropriate quarters to address the issue.

Our reporter said workers at the NIPOST office were already apprehensive over the planned actions of the pensioners.

One of the staff who pleaded anonymity said that “around May last year, the pensioners also came to chase workers out of offices and good number of workers were injured in their attempt to run away. Sincerely speaking, I can’t stand that. Instead, I won’t come to work tomorrow,” he said.

When The Tide visited the Aba Road Office of National Union of Pensioners, the offices were locked and attempt to reach Comrade Ambi Ify Ibiyom, State Chairman, National Union of Pensioners, NIPOST branch, could not yield fruitful result as he was neither in the office nor could be reached on phone.

Chris Oluoh