The Nation Newspaper

Category: Pension

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    UZOMA: Good day. I am a police retiree and a regular reader of The Nation newspaper. I made a complaint that my pension and gratuity has not been paid since I retired in January 2017. My PFA is Police Pension. I am glad to inform you that I have now been paid. I thank you. Uzoma Dsp rtd.

    THE NATION: The Nation newspaper is happy that you have been paid your pension. Do enjoy your retirement.

     

    BAWA: My name is Bawa. I retired in August 2017 from NSCDC in Kwara State Ilorin. My retirement savings has not been paid to me. This is my 15th month in retirement and I have not received anything from my PFA, Premium Pension Limited

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to Pencom and Premium Pension. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

     

    OGUNLEYE: I will like to make an enquiry about the payment of my lump sum having filled necessary documents some weeks ago with my PFA whom I am yet to get any response from. I retired since  July 15, 2017 with much of harrowing experiences due to paucity of funds. Please, your positive and expedited actions will be appreciated. My children’s education has suffered much setbacks. Thanks a lot.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to Pencom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

     

    EKONG: Good day, please I have problem with payment of my federal share of gratuity and pension since 1996. Several verification exercises have been conducted. It is  quite pathetic that I have been screened severally here in Akwa Ibom State. But my gratuity hasn’t been paid since 1996. I am dying of starvation, hunger and ill-health. Mr President has really performed in his administration from all the comment. Please come to my aid. Thank you.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PTAD. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

     

    MRS AJAYI: My name is  Mrs Ajayi.  Well done for your concern on pensioners’ matters across board. I retired on June 31, 2008 with no payment till date despite verification since last year August. Please assist me. Several pensioners have gotten their money. I am a state pensioner with federal share. Thank you.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PTAD. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

     

    MR AJAYI: Dear Omobola, I acknowledged the competence and diligence of PTAD staff in handling the affairs of pensioner’s problem. My complaint is non-payment of gratuity since October 2008.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PTAD. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

    BOLAJI: My name is Bolaji. I am under the old pension scheme and my monthly pension is regular but October and November 2018 has not been paid. Kindly help me to effect payment. Thank you.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PTAD. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

     

    GHEGHOR: I retired from Bendel  State Education Board as Master 2 on SGL O8 Step 5 on March 1, 1986. My monthly federal pension was N7537.43 and went up to N10024.70 in 2014. Surprisingly, it was reduced to N6011.17 in May 2018. Please help with PTAD.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to PTAD. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

     

     

    UDO: I was promoted from ACP(prisons) on CONPASS   level 13 to DCP on CONPASS level 14 on 1/1/2017. The promotion was released after we had attended pre-retirement verification exercise in Calabar on 1/7/2017. I am in Uyo. I applied accordingly through Zonal Pension Office in Calabar on my promotion after verification and to ask them to update my data at Pencom headquarters, Abuja. I personally went to Wuse, Pencom office. I furnish them with all necessary documents. Now I want to be sure that it has been effected. If not, I can go back there. Because I am told if payment is made it could be cumbersome to get the short fall. My name is Udo.

    THE NATION: The Nation will intervene by sending your complaint to Pencom. Do watch out for the newspaper publication next Wednesday for a response from the PTAD and subsequently every week for pension news.

     

  • Pencom to launch micro pension

    All is set for the launch of Micro Pension Scheme by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) this month.

    The planned micro pension is expected to attract over 20 million workers and N3 trillion into the pension assets.

    With total pension assets as at October, 2018 at N8.45 trillion, the country’s pension assets are expected to rise to over N11 trillion with the micro pension plan.

    Investigation revealed that the pension industry regulator, PenCom has put all mercenaries in place to ensure smooth launch of the plan.

    To ensure seamless operations, PenCom, together with pension fund operators have built robust Information Technology (IT) infrastructure that will support the plan.

    In preparation for the take-off of the schame, the commission said it has also had engagements with informal sector groups, such as, the Nigerian Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigerian (NUTGTWN), a body consisting Self- Employed Tailors and Garment Workers; partner trade associations, Non Governmental Organisation (NGOs) and religious bodies.

    PenCom Acting Director-General, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, at a pension forum in Lagos, said the implementation of micro pension will improve the standard of living of the informal sector participants at retirement and reduce dependence on extended family for support at retirement.

    The scheme, when operational, she said would capture self-employed people, especially those with irregular income, usually in the informal sector are largely financially uninformed with limited or no access to financial services especially pension plan.

    Section 2(3) of the Pension Reform Act, 2014 legal framework extends the coverage of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to self-employed persons through micro pension scheme.

    The Head, Research & Corporate Strategy, PenCom, Dr. Farouk Aminu, added that the commission is working on ensuring that the plan commence as planned, noting that this is a development that could enhance the growth of pension assets in the country.

    He stressed that the plan has the potential to generate about N3 trillion to the pension assets, while it intends to mobilise about 12 million contributors within five years.

    On benefits to be derived, Dr. Aminu noted that self-employed people and workers in the informal sector could reap by participating in the plan, saying in addition to providing income for them at old age and inculcating a savings culture through highly protected and regulated investment. The plan would afford them the opportunity to connect to other programmes of government while helping to finance infrastructure across the country.

    He said: “The self-employed can as well use the balance in their Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) as equity contribution for residential mortgages and support their businesses and benefit from other micro-credit schemes and special awareness programme affiliated to the scheme, he said.

    “The additional benefits to self-employed persons and informal sector workers include the cover provided under the Pension Protection Fund (PPF). Under this arrangement, government would bridge shortfalls or financial losses from investment of their accumulated retirement savings and guarantee them minimum pension in retirement, irrespective of how much they are able to save before retiring. The plan will be funded by an annual subvention of one per cent of monthly wage of Federal Government employees, annual levy on PenCom and pension operators as well as pension fund investment income.”

    The Head of Corporate Communications, PenCom, Mr. Peter Aghahowa, also added that the scheme is made flexible for people to easily join, while the method of contribution is decided by the contributors, who are to choose whether to contribute daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and so on.

     

     

  • NAICOM confirms Braie as Linkage MD

    The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Daniel Braie as the Managing Director/CEO of Linkage Assurance Plc.

    The approval was communicated to the Chairman Board of Directors though a letter dated  December 28, 2018.

    Mr. Braie was the Executive Director, Technical of the company before he was elevated to the position of the Acting Managing Director earlier in 2018.

    An insurance professional, Braie has to his credit over 35 years work experience including at senior management levels across different companies in the industry.

    He is expected to bring to bear his wealth of knowledge and experience to transform the operations of the company for greater growth.

    He has four decades of professional experience in the insurance industry garnered from UNIC Insurance Plc, Trust & Guarantee Insurance Company Limited, Crusader Nigeria Plc and Topflight Insurance Brokers Limited, where he held various managerial positions including: Deputy General Manager, General Manager, Company Secretary, Group Head and Chief Executive Officer.

     

  • Pension funds hit N8.45tr

    Nigeria’s total, pension fund assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) rose to N8.452 trillion as at October 2018, from N8.345 trillion recorded in September 2018, representing an increase of N107billion and 1.28 per cent growth.

    This was made known in a Summary of Pension Fund Assets report as at October ending, last year, by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    About 8.41 million workers from both public and private sectors have joined the new Pension Scheme, the report revealed.

    The monthly report, which showed that Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) invested N6.05 trillion out of the N8.45 trillion pension assets in Federal Government’s securities, also revealed that 71.68 per cent of the pension funds had been invested in the government’s securities.

    These investments include N4.33 trillion amounting to 51.32 per cent in Bonds; N1.65 trillion in Treasury Bills (19.59 per cent); N10.21 billion in Agency Bonds (NMRC & FMBN), (0.12 per cent); N48.00 billion in Sukku (0.57 per cent) and N6.39 billion in Green bonds, (0.08 per cent)

    PenCom noted that in line with the Multi-fund structure, Retirement Saving Account (RSA) Fund 1 had N6.55 billion invested in it; RSA Fund 11, N3.75 trillion; RSA Fund 111, N2.00 trillion and RSA Fund IV, N654.29 billion respectively.

    It said N602.04 billion, which is 7.2 per cent of the funds, was invested in domestic ordinary shares; while N59.57 billion, amounting to 0.70 per cent went to foreign ordinary shares.

    The pension industry regulator maintained that pension operators invested N154.00 billion (1.82 per cent) in state governments’ securities; corporate bonds got N518.54 billion (6.13 per cent); corporate infrastructure bonds, received N7.68 billion, (0.09 per cent); supra-national bonds got N6.13 billion (0.07 per cent); commercial papers, N78.50 billion (0.93 per cent) and Banks, N640.25 billion (7.57 per cent).

    Others are: Reits, N5.97 billion (0.07 per cent); Foreign Money Market Securities, N3.27 billion, (0.04 per cent); private equity fund, N32.83 billion, (0.39 per cent); Real Estate Properties, N228.88 billion, (2.71 per cent); infrastructure funds, N15.56 billion, (0.18 per cent) and cash & other assets, N30.83 billion, (0.36 per cent).

  • Lagos challenges workers on procurement, others

    The Lagos State Government has asked its workers in public service to keep pursuing quality in procurement decisions, and keep cost under control in the face of daunting economic challenges.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr Akintola Benson-Oke, gave this advice during a training tagged: “Public Procurement in a Depressed Economy: Emerging Issues and Challenges” facilitated by Midas Partners in Lagos.

    Ambode urged the officers to come up with data-backed and data-inspired ideas that will ensure and assure the quality of the government’s procurement activities.

    He said the training’s theme has far-reaching ramifications for both  medium and long-term health of the government of Lagos State,

    He emphasised the need to maintain and pursue quality and briefly examine how procurement decisions cannot only be creatively tailored to fit into available lean resources in a depressed economy, but also be used as an instrument to chart the course out of economic depression.

    He said: “In arguing for the pursuit of quality even in the face of a depressed economy, I am convinced that the delivery of value to citizens is the fundamental objective of any democratically-elected government and that, in contemporary times, the delivered value must be delivered to the highest possible standard because citizens have become sophisticated and exposed to the standards of governance in other climes such that their expectations have been conditioned to demand and insist on compliance with global trends in governance and public administration at all levels of governance. Meeting these expectations is the central challenge for governments in contemporary times, even in the face of lean resources.

    “Governments on its part must decide what to measure and how, always with an eye on the overall goal of the programme or initiative. For one, a critical examination will reveal how civil servants can creatively utilise data to generate ideas and communicate government actions and performances in order to ensure positive perception or, in the least, accurate perception of government procurement decisions by the citizens. I therefore, challenge the Lagos State Public Service to come up with data-backed and data-inspired ideas that will ensure and assure the quality of the government’s procurement activities.

    “Another advocated strategy for ensuring the delivery of quality services by the public service including in the area of procurement, is to innovate to make government services more customer-centric. This is one of the subjects that have been previously explored in the trainings organised by the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions. Procurement decisions would only be regarded as being of acceptable quality when they are made with the end-user in mind. I dare say that, even in procuring items that would be exclusively used by public servants, the sole question should be whether the procured items would help the public service better serve its customer, the citizens.”

    He added that there are challenges encountered in strategic public procurement. “Indeed, there are a number of challenges that are faced when rolling out strategic public procurement. For instance, a lack of understanding of the benefits of sustainable procurement among politicians and budget holders is a challenge.

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    ANNONYMOUS: We retired under PENCOM. how can we have access to loan?

    PENCOM PETER: There is no provision for accessing loan from your Retirement Savings Account (RSA).

     

    ASUQUO: Please what advice do you have for us as PENCOM now pays 20 per cent of gratuity? ASUQUO Akwa Ibom.

    PENCOM PETER: The 20 per  cent lump sum has been reversed, the Commission approves not less than 25 per cent as lump sum.

     

    ANNONYMOUS: I retireed on  October 1, 2008. My PFA is Trustfund Pensions. In April 2009, I was paid a lump sum of N6, 305, 247. Half of this amount was posted into my account and the remaining would be with my next of kin. As at December 2016, the statement of my account with Trustfund Pensions read  N3,194,391.37. Those I retired with on the same rank of D.S.P. with other PFA were paid the same amount, but their balance is N4.5 million while mine is decreasing. Please investigate why my money is not growing with Trustfund.

    TRUSTFUND PRISCA: We have reviewed the accounts and computation of the complainant and we state that his RSA account has grown appreciably. As at the date of computation, his RSA balance was N6,408,353.50 out of which he was paid a lumpsum of N3,273,000 and arrears of N126,055.66 leaving a balance of N2,835,953.07 only in his retiree account from which he has been enjoying monthly pension of N25,211.14 from April 2009 to January 2018, after which his pension was enhanced (as a result of significant growth in his account) to N28,363.75 from February 2018 till date.

    The total monthly pension he has received hitherto is N2,945,780.59 which is above his account balance after the payment of his lumpsum and arrears. Despite that, he is still having a total of N3,419,528.91 in his retiree account. Consequently, we affirm that his account has grown significantly.

     

    DADAH: My name is Dadah. I retired on September 1, 2008 as Director level 16 step 9. I have never been placed on federal share pension, nor paid my gratuity. Kindly help me solve this 10-year-old problem.

    PENCOM PETER: All issues that have to do with Federal share fall under the purview of Pension TransitionalAdministrative Directorate(PTAD).

    Please contact PTAD.

     

    PHILIP: Thank you for coming out to rescue police retirees. Police Pension PFA is paying us less and it does not pay on time. Is it compulsory that after retirement, I have to stay between one and two years before my benefits will be ready, even if all documents have been processed six months before retirements? We are coming en masse to Leadway Assurance. I was retired December 1, 2017, up till now no headway. Please l need your advice.

    PENCOM PETER: Lack of release of the accrued rights by the Federal Government is the reason you are yet to be paid your retirement benefits. You will be paid as soon as the accrued rights are released by the government. The last payment made was for those who retired in August, 2017. The Commission will ensure that the Federal Government releases the accrued benefits.

    OYIN: Please, I will retire this month. When will I access my annuity and pensions?

    PENCOM PETER: You are expected to have done the verification and enrolment exercise organised by the Commission at designated centres across the country between July and October 2018.

    If you did, you just wait for the release of your accrued rights. But if you didn’t, you have to come and do it at the Commission’s office in Abuja.

     

    OYE: My name is Oye and I am an ex-staff member of one of the banks. I want to know if pension fund could be used as a collateral for loan in banks.

    PENCOM PETER: Balance in the Retirement Savings Account (RSAs) cannot be used as a collateral.

     

    OLAOGUN: I am OLAOGUN.  I retired on November 11, 2017. When will my account be credited? Also any help to access at least N200,000 to use in paying school fees and feeding while it is deducted later? Please your help is needed urgently.

    PENCOM PETER: Your account will be credited as soon as the Federal Government releases your accrued rights benefits. The last payment was made on August 2017. The funds in your RSA are for pensions. Consequently, you cannot access any amount for school fees or feeding.

     

    ANNONYMOUS: Please, I have a question on my pension. It is: Can someone collect his gratuity when he, as staff member of the local government resigned and joined the state government without demanding the pension but gratuity.

    PENCOM PETER: Gratuity depends on the employer and as such we advise you to contact your state or local government pension office. Thank You.

     

     

    JAPHET: Please, help me to ensure that Sigma Pensions transfers my pension to annuity. I                                  have requested and on both occasions, I have been denied. The first time was on May 7, 2018 and second time was last July 24. I was told  that they were awaiting PenCom’s approval.

    PENCOM PETER: The Commission has already communicated approval to Sigma Pension for your movement from PW to annuity since August 14, 2018 under batch eight. Please contact Sigma Pension.

  • PENCOM issues compliance certificates to 10,120 firms

    The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has issued compliance certificates to 10,120 pension compliant firms in 2016.

    The was made known in a report entitled: “Issuance of compliance certificates”, by the commission.

    PENCOM said 301 applications were declined due to non-remittance of pension contributions.

    During the year under review, the Commission said it received a total of 10,421 applications for issuance of compliance certificate.

    The report showed that of these applications, compliance certificates were issued to 10,120 organisations and 301 were declined due to non-remittance of pension contributions for the appropriate period or non-provision of Group Life Insurance Policy for the employees.

    Similarly, the commission’s Benefits and Insurance Department reviewed and processed the requests for approvals to access the RSA balances of retirement/terminal benefits, death benefits, access to RSA on health grounds, payment to foreign nationals as well as employees who disengaged before attaining 50, and other entitlements submitted by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) on behalf of retirees and/or contributors.

    It supervised all issues relating to Group Life Insurance Policy and retirements on Life Annuity.

    The report read: “The department has, developed the Framework and Guidelines for the implementation of the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) and Minimum Pension Guarantee (MPG) as provided under Section 82 & 84 of the PRA 2014, as amended.

    “These guidelines are undergoing the requisite processes and subsequent issuance.

    “However, all stakeholders have been notified to make provisions in the 2017 budget for the funding of the PPF during the year preparatory to implementation.”

     

  • Lagos workers are happy to retire, says Ambode

    Despite the anxiety associated with retirement, Lagos State civil servants are happy to retire, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    He spoke at a retreat with theme “Planning for retirement” held for union leaders in Lagos State at Michael Imoudu Institute, Ilorin, the Kwara State capiatl.

    Ambode, represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola, Benson, said the government has paid accrued pension of retirees.

    He stated that the government has continued to remit money into officers’accounts.

    He noted that the state remains perhaps the only one in the country that is up to date in its monthly remittances into employees’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs).

    He said: “The theme of this year’s retreat calls for a certain level of deliberate introspection and contemplation. When both employee and employer adequately plan for retirement, the transformation becomes far less stressful than it would otherwise have been. While we all can agree that human resources are rightly regarded as the bedrock of an organisation since organisations are overwhelmingly dependent on human capacity for the supply of physical labour, technical and professional skills, which are germane for effective and efficient planning and implementation of development policies, programmes, projects, and daily activities; it is indisputable that, at a certain point, the human elements, as represented in our case by the officers of the Lagos State Public Service, as well as the government, would need to prepare for retirement.

    “Retirement is another phase of life that brings fundamental change and while the change may bring daunting challenges, you, officers of the Lagos State Public Service really have nothing to be anxious about. The Lagos State Government had paid accrued pension rights of running into billions into the Retirement Savings Account of retirees. Furthermore, the Lagos State Government has continued to remit money into officers’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs). Indeed, everyone should be proud to note that Lagos State remains perhaps the only state in the federation that is up to date in its monthly remittances into serving employees’ Retirement Savings Accounts.’’

    The governor continued: ‘’While many employers and, indeed, many governments do not see the need to prepare their employees for a new life, the Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, however, is people-oriented  and we have resolved that everyone who has worked diligently for the state has to be recognised, paid his or her dues and assisted to prepare for future challenges.

    ‘’Therefore, with the benefit of the knowledge of a responsive and responsible employer in the Lagos State Government, I urge officers to embrace the coming change with confidence. Without doubt, there are other challenges inherent in facing a period of retirement. Let me advise you not to be apprehensive about these. Change is built into the fabric of our lives.”

    He added that there were people who had profitable business in retirement, urging retirees to resolve plan for productive future.

    “As a retiree, you should envision a productive future. Everything starts with a vision. Do not give up on yourself. Envision a future where you can do things, no matter how little, for the benefit of the society and others. You need to try new things. It is not all over for you. You can still learn new skills, read new books, meet new friends, start new ventures.

    “With the wealth of experience that you have acquired over the years, you should make it your duty to inspire the younger generation and encourage and guide them with the benefit of your acquired wisdom and experience. You should also exercise. Discover light and non-strenuous exercises that you can regularly engage in. This will keep you in good health,’’ Ambode added.

     

  • PTAD settles 759 NoKs of defunct privatised agencies

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), has in continuation of the settlement of death benefit to Next-of-Kins (NoK) of deceased parastatals pensioners paid full benefit to 259 NOKs of NITEL, Delta Steel Company Limited (DSC), New Nigeria Newspapers (NNN), Nigerian Reinsurance Corp. Plc and NICON Insurance PLC.

    The Executive Secretary of the Directorate, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, in a statement, said this is in addition to 500 NITEL NoKs who have already been paid the sum of N1.565 billion following the conclusion of documentation and Federal Audit clearance for payment.

    She explained that in the computation of the final entitlements, there is no common cut-off date as the agencies concerned were privatised at different dates.

    She also stated that the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) had paid commuted pension, equivalent to five years pension to all those eligible at the time of privatisation.

    She said: “Therefore, the payment made by PTAD only covered the period between the end of the five years after privatisation and the date of demise of the principal pensioners, as only claims beyond those five years are justifiable under extant laws. The NoKs of those who died before the expiration of the five-year post privatisation period are not entitled to any additional benefits as the payment made by BPE qualified as guaranteed pension in conformity with the law.

    “A total sum of N669.76 million has been paid to the 259 beneficiaries of the following defunct/privatised agencies. NITEL/Mtel beneficiaries paid are 149, New Nigeria Newspapers (NNN) 72; Nigeria Reinsurance 9; Nicon Insurance LTD 9; and Delta Steel Company (DSC)”, she added.

     

  • Lagos pays N41.8b to 10,286 retirees

    The Lagos State government has paid accrued pension rights of N41.812 billion to 10,286 retirees under the Pay As You Go pension scheme in the last 41 months, the Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, has said.

    He spoke at the 58th edition of Retirement Benefit Bond Presentation Ceremony held at the LASPEC Complex, NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said another 139 public service retirees were presented retirement benefit bond certificates worth N632.3 million for the month of December.

    The commissioner stated that majority of those paid were from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    He recalled that about two weeks ago, precisely, November 29, 2018, total number of 137 retirees received Bond Certificates worth N739.9 million.

    He said:“Government will continue to ensure prompt payment of all the rights and entitlements due to its workforce as a way of motivating them to effectively and efficiently discharge their duties as expected. The state government has never failed to remit monthly contributions into Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) maintained by the 13 approved Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

    “So, within a period of three weeks, the government has brought joy to a total number of 276 retirees and payment made is N1.37 billion. The state has consistently distinguished itself as a leading state in the management of pension and pensioners. Hence, the government has won several awards for excellence in pension administration. In December, 2018, the commission won the distinguished award of excellence on pension matters for year 2018 by Peninscope Professional Warranty Limited.”

    The Director-General, LASPEC, Mrs. Folasade Onanuga, explained that the state government has always been in the vanguard of employees’ welfare.

    She said the governor has not derailed in his promise to give priority to workers’ welfare”.

    While advising retirees to spend wisely in retirement and take proper care of their health, she pointed out that they are at the evening stage of their lives and as such, they should be mindful with the things that they do.

    She stressed that the Additional Voluntary Contribution will guarantee more comfort in retirement as the funds can be accessed immediately by a retiree on retirement.

    In appreciation, the beneficiaries applauded the pace of clearing the backlog by the present administration and prayed that it continues in 2019.

    Also, the state government through the commission has paid to the 11th batch of named beneficiaries of eight deceased employees, insurance benefit worth N15, 696,022.83 million. Over N447, 968 million had been paid. This is designed by law to alleviate the immediate needs of the family members left behind.