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Retired staff members of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Enugu Zonal Office, have appealed to the Federal Government to take urgent measures to revive the deteriorating condition of the station.
The Coordinator of the retirees under the Contributory Pensions Scheme, Elder Ngwuoke Ngwuoke , made the call on Wednesday, when he led other retired staffers on a courtesy visit to the Management of the station in Enugu State.
He said they were dismayed by the deteriorating state of the station.
The retiree said the dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate facilities had resulted in the station offering only skeletal services,
According to them, the situation is a far cry from the vibrant and bustling environment they once knew.
Ngwuoke said urgent attention was required to address them before the station would grind to a halt.
Congratulating the Zonal Director, Dr Ikechukwu Eze, on his appointment, Ngwuoke urged him to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to the uncomplimentary state of the station.
He said, “I hereby extend our congratulations on your appointment.
“Although this occurred after our retirement, we have been following developments in the corporation with keen interest.
“Given your extensive experience in various roles within the corporation, we are confident that you will bring valuable expertise to the management of the station during your tenure, the present economic climate not withstanding”.
Explaining why the retired workers had continued to show interest in the organisation, the coordinator said, “Radio Nigeria has played a profound role in shaping us into who we are today.
“As a result, we remain committed to the station even after retirement.”
He further highlighted to the zonal director the plight of the pensioners who retired under the scheme.
“We have been excluded from government reviews on pension matters, including the 2.5 per cent increase and palliative payments to cushion the effects of the present economic hardship on Nigerians.
“Many of us have not been paid our entitlements, including repatriation allowance 12 years after retirement.
“This is unpleasant, and we implore you to use your good offices to effect these long-overdue payments,” Ngwuoke appealed.
Responding, the zonal director commended the pensioners for their interest in the growth and effective functioning of the station.
Eze said efforts were being made to keep the station afloat, and appealed to the workers of the corporation to support management’s efforts to restore the zonal station to its former glory.
“We are in constant touch with the authorities and I can assure you that efforts are being made to put the station back on stream.
“We shall look into your complaints of non-payment of your repatriation allowance.
“You can be sure that we shall pay them as soon as we have the funds,” Eze promised. (NAN)
