By Godwin Ume

Retired staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN , (Radio Nigeria) Enugu National Station 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 request of the pensioners known during a courtesy visit to the Management of the station in Enugu.

Ngwuoke started by congratulating the Zonal Director, Dr Ikechukwu Eze on his appointment. “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,” he noted.

Ngwuoke, a former General Manager, Unity FM, Abakaliki, explained why the retired workers have continued to show interest in the organisation. “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 in retirement.

“However, we are dismayed by the current state of the Station. The dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate facilities making the Station to offer only skeletal services are a far cry from the vibrant and bustling environment we once knew.

“ZD Sir, urgent attention is required to address these issues before Radio Nigeria Enugu grinds to a halt. Please draw the attention of the authorities in Abuja to this uncomplimentary trend.”

Ngwuoke further told the Zonal Director of the plight of the Pensioners who retired under the Contributory Pensions Scheme. “We have been excluded from government reviews on pension matters, including the 2.5% 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.

Responding, the Zonal Director of the station, Dr. Ikechukwu Eze 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.

“The poor condition of the station is due to lack of funds and facilities needed for smooth operations.”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.