Details of how Pensioners Receive two cups Rice as Palliative; Union Chairman Explained
Pensioners in the Calabar branch of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have expressed dissatisfaction with the 400 bags of rice provided as a palliative for 2.5 million of them, deeming it grossly inadequate.
Covering Odukpani, Calabar Municipality, Calabar South, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi local government areas in Cross River’s Southern Senatorial District, the Calabar branch of NUP raised concerns about the limited rice distribution.
Mr. Godwin Effiong, the branch chairman, described the situation as absurd and unconscionable, as pensioners were asked to spend money on transportation to collect only two cups of rice, making it impractical.
Effiong explained that the Federal Government had initially indicated the distribution of 800 bags of rice as a fuel subsidy removal palliative for pensioners in the state but later reduced the quantity, with the allocation split nearly equally between state and local government pensioners.
He expressed gratitude for the government’s efforts but noted that the distribution was insufficient, with some pensioners receiving as few as three cups of rice and others slightly more, to ensure wider coverage and avoid complaints.
