The Nation Newspaper

Category: Pension

  • ‘Workers must give quality service to residents, others’

    For proper administration of Lagos State, there is need for top quality service from workers to both government and residents of the state, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    Ambode who spoke during a workshop tagged: “Building Values and Sound Human Relations Skills in Lagos State Civil Service” was represented by Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry Of Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson in Lagos.

    He said the workers must work without negative traits, practices and mindsets with values and the human relations skills that are vital for maintaining and renewing the effectiveness of the Lagos State Civil Service

    He stated that the objective of the workshop is to inculcate and sharpen the vital interpersonal human relations skills and values that officers of the state civil service require to properly and fully serve the government and the people of the state.

    He stressed that the ministry is charged with the responsibility for ensuring the adequate exposure of the Lagos State Civil Service to knowledge on an on-going basis.

    He also said that the governor is irrevocably committed to all matters relating to the Civil Service in the State.

    He said: “From time to time, we find people who wonder why this administration devotes so much resources and efforts to trainings such as this. The answer to that is the welfare of the people is the ultimate law. Governments who deny this assertion do so at the risk of ruining their stewardships and the trust of the citizens in governance. Furthermore, employers who deny this run the undeniable risk of ruining their enterprise and the trust and devotion of their employees.

    “Of the many wise employers living by this noble ideal, the state government is one of the most notable, if not the foremost. The passionate and unrivalled dedication of the Lagos State Government to the welfare of its workforce both during and after service cannot be denied. In furtherance of its dedication to this ideal, the governor mandated the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions to embark on a continuous training of the officers of the state civil service in order to ensure the delivery of top quality service to government.

    “The Lagos State Civil Service is desirable of having officers with two skills sets of hard skills and soft skills. For instance, as an officer of the Lagos State Civil Service, you will attain better performance heights if you possess good communication skills. Again, your department will become more effective and efficient if you can work in a team and collaborate. The Lagos State Civil Service wants people who play well with others and can effectively work as part of a team.”

     

     

     

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    AIKI: I thank The Nation newspaper for the humanitarian service it is rendering , trying to bring people out of pension challenges. God bless the newspaper. My pension problem is non-remittance of pension for five  years. My account was not credited between 2010 and 2015. What can I do? My pension administrator is Stanbic IBTC. My name is AIki and my employer is National Exams Council (NECO).

     

    Stanbic IBTC Adebola: Mr Aiki is required to liaise with the Pension Desk Officer of his institution to include his details on the nominal roll that will be submitted directly to PenCom for the remittance of his outstanding pension contributions between 2010 and Feb 2015.

    His RSA has been credited with his pension contributions from March 2015 by his employer.

    I have called him and advised him of the above information. He mentioned that he has submitted his details this year for nominal roll. However, remittance by the commission is done in batches. We further advise him to be patient.

    Upon receipt of his contributions, he will be notified.

     

    OKOYE:  I am  Okoye. I worked for Embee and Partners Nig Ltd in Abuja for over 10 years. I was disengaged in 2015. I went to access my pension fund with my PFA, Crusader Sterling Pensions only to discover that the company has been deducting money from my salary as pension but did not remit all the money to the PFA. Crusader wrote to Embee to no avail. Embee has refused to comply. I sent a mail to National Pension Commission about what I am going through but didn’t get any reply. Kindly help intervene. Looking forward to your response. Thanks and God bless.

    CRUSADER STERLING ODUKOYA: Dear Okoye, Many thanks, I would revert as soon as possible.

     

    ALABIDUN: My name is ALABIDUN, I have RSA account with Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers. I lost my job in October 2016 and collected my 25 per cent. I have attained 50 years and I am yet to secure another job. I have applied for my lump sum and programmed withdrawal payment. But there is one document that I cannot provide which is my Pay Slip. This is because my previous employer paid us through the bank. I have provided the statement of account which shows how the salaries were being transferred to my account. I want to find out if the bank statement of account is not equivalent to the pay slip, thanks.

    STANBIC IBTC ADEBOLA: We would review and revert as soon as possible.

     

    ABDULWAHEED: Dear Omobola, my name is Savage Abdulwaheed I retired in January 2013 , when I apply for my lump of 50% I was paid 25% which was against the law. I have been trying to get my balance but no way. Stanbic IBTC Pension is my manager. I will be grateful if my complaint is verified. Many thanks. PEN no is 100034050662. +2348063363616

    STANBIC IBTC ADEBOLA: We would review and revert as soon as possible.

     

    MRS EUNICE: Good day ma, l retired from ARMTI in 2007. I am a member of Progressive Co-oprative in ARMTI. Since 2016, my monthly savings of N2,000 only has not been remitted to ARMTI Progressive Cooperative and l want the N2,000; monthly contributions deduction to stop and N48,000 deducted since March 2016 to be refunded. Please help me out. Mrs Eunice.

    THE NATION: The newspapers has communicated your issue with PTAD and is currently waiting for the agency’s response. Do watch out for the newspaper next week Wednesday for your response and subsequently every Wednesday for pension news.

     

    JERRY: I am a NIPOST Pensioner. The military,para-military and civilian pensioners served this country meritoriously in different capacities.It is therefore unjustifiable to discriminate while addressing the problems of these different groups.Both military and para-military pensioners have been paid the backlog of 33 percent pension increment arrears of 2015 and 2016 respectively while the parastatal pensioners are still waiting with bated breath in 2018 for the outstanding arrears of 24 months. The favoured military and para military groups are already pressing for the 20 percent balance which is due to all pensioners anyway.Two of my colleagues recently passed on without collecting this outstanding arrears.This is a great injustice.The minister of finance should please release funds to enable PTAD to pay us and save our lives. PTAD should please step up efforts to make the finance ministry to release the funds.

    THE NATION: The newspapers has communicated your issue with PTAD and is currently waiting for the agency’s response. Do watch out for the newspaper next week Wednesday for your response and subsequently every Wednesday for pension news.

     

    ADEGBOLA: My Name is Adegbola and I am the Chairman of NUP , Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute. one of my members, Mr Hanson Uko, has not been paid either his monthly pension or the arrears of his 33% since PTAD took over about three years ago. All efforts by the institute and Uko proved abortive. He went to PTAD office in Benin with his documents to complain while the office sent an officer to P T A D Abuja twice without any success. Please help us. Adegbola from Ilorin.

    THE NATION: The newspapers has communicated your issue with PTAD and is currently waiting for the agency’s response. Do watch out for the newspaper next week Wednesday for your response and subsequently every Wednesday for pension news.

  • Workers to PenCom: implement PRA 2014

    •Demand enforcement of 18% contributions

    Nigerian workers and other stakeholders have expressed displeasure over the non implementation of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 by the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    The workers from both private and public sector are unhappy that despite the increase in rates of contributions by the Act, employers have continued to disregard the law with no enforcement by PenCom.

    It would be recalled that the Federal Government in 2004, enacted the Pensions Reform Act (PRA 2004), which introduced the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, and made it mandatory for employers and employees in both the public and private sectors to contribute towards the retirement benefits of employees.

    The 2004 Act as repealed by 2014 Act increased pensions’ contribution rate from 7.5 per cent employee rate and 7.5 per cent employer rate to 8 per cent employee rate and 10 per cent employer rate.

    Section 4 sub section 1 of the PRA 2014 states that the rate of contribution under the CPS shall be a minimum of 10 per cent by the employer and a minimum of 8 per cent by the employee’s monthly emoluments.

    Sub section 2 of the Act further states that the rates of contribution may upon agreement between any employer and employee be revised upwards, from time to time and the PenCom shall be notified.

    Sub section 4 also states that notwithstanding any of the provisions of the bill, an employer may agree on the payment of additional benefits to the employee upon retirement or bear the full responsibility of the scheme provided that in such case, the employer’s contribution shall not be less than 20 per cent of the monthly emoluments of the employee.

    A contributor, Abidemi Abiodun, chided PenCom over his contributions.

    Abiodun who said his employer has been deducting his 7.5 per cent from his salary but has failed to remit both his deduction and the employer part of the contribution.

    He believes his employer is able to do so because the regulator is weak and has failed to sanction his employer.

    Another contributor, Chinedu Nwoke lamented that his employer has not remitted his contribution for six years.

    He expressed fear if he would be able to recover the deductions from his employer, needless say increase his contributions to 18 per cent.

    Mrs Victoria Arinze on her part urged PenCom to live up to expectation and demand compliance from employers.

    She said the CPS will remain unattractive if the pension benefits paid after retirement is not sustainable, noting that retirees under the Defined Benefits Scheme receive good benefits as against those under the CPS.

     

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    ADEGOKE: Dear Omobola, my name is Adegoke. I retired from Customs in 2007. I want to know when pension issue of 20.37 per cent being balance of 53.37 per cent year 2010 pension increase arrears from July 2010 to date will be addressed and cleared. Arrears of 33 per cent out of the 53.37 per cent pension increase of July 2010 has been defrayed by PTAD in 2016, leaving the balance of 20.37 per cent arrears from July 2010 to date unpaid. What is responsible for the non-payment? Could it be as a result of budgetary constraints? What has scaled down to pensioners disadvantage the year 2010 pension increase from 53.37 per cent to 33 per cent? Has arrangement reached advance stage towards payment of the 20.37 per cent arrears and when will it be paid? Please PTAD pay pensioners this arrears of 20.37 per cent from July 2010 to date to put smile on our faces, or explain lucidly the true and proper position of this matter to us. Thanks.

    PTAD: In 2014, the Federal Government approved an increment in pensions of the 33 per cent pension payment increase, effective July 2010, and PTAD has paid Customs increment in full. For more information log on to www.ptad.gov.ng

    SYLVANUS: Good day Omobola, let me refresh your memory on the two cases which you promised to intervene. I served Lagos State from 1974 to 1983, when I transferred to Anambra, my home state. I held the post of Assistant Director. When I finally retired from University service in 2001, Lagos State was informed and asked to provide my pension benefits based on apportionment. But there was no response up till April 2013, when I was paid about N1 million as gratuity and pension arrears.

    Now I am owed 48 months pension by TEPO, Ikeja. Under Pension Act 1979, Federal Government took responsibility for pension of retirees in Ondo State, where I entered teaching in missionary schools from 1960 to 1976. On retirement, based on apportionment, a copy of my computed pension benefits was sent to PTAD, but no response up till now. At two state verification centres, no attention was given to me. Please Omobola, help an old man. God bless you. Sylvanus.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Udeh, more information is needed to resolve your complaint. Can you confirm if you have completed a PTAD verification exercise? If yes, kindly provide us with your full name & Bank account details. If not, also provide us with your full name. In addition to the following documents; letter of first appointment, letter of last promotion; letter of retirement; signed and stamped original bank statement on the bank letter head covering from January 2001 till date are required. Kindly email the above documents to complaints@ ptad.gov.ng or access our pensioner’s complaint submission portal at www.ptad.gov.ng. You can also visit any of our zonal offices where complaints can be processed for more information call us toll free on 080-2255-7823.

     

    BABATUNDE: My name is Babatunde, I retired from NIPOST in July 23, 2005. My contribution in the Contributory Scheme up to N46,338.92 of which I have applied for, up till now, I am yet to be paid. My pay slips photocopies were forwarded to PTAD in Abuja.

    PTAD: Kindly be informed PTAD does not manage pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Please forward the following documents to determine if infact you are a PTAD pensioner; Letter of first appointment, letter of last promotion; letter of retirement. Kindly email the above documents to complaints@ptad.gov.ng or access our pensioner’s complaint submission portal at www.ptad.gov.ng you can also visit any of our zonal offices where complaints can be processed for more information call us toll free on 080-2255-7823.

     

    OSAM: Dear Omobola, my father died since on July 10, 2005. He served last at police mobile force 26 Uyo-aks as a police inspector officer. His name is Okimba. I did all that was required of me for his gratuity to be paid in 2006, but response proved abortive. Later in march 2015, I undergone the second police pension verification exercise and did image capturing at PTAD Maitama Abuja where all necessary documents were successfully submitted as required by screening committee as the next of kin. But up till date no payment. Please help me out of this distress.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Osam, kindly note that your late father joined the Nigeria Police Force on 1st March, 1977 but died on 10th July, 2005. In line with the Pension Reform Act of 2004 as amended, late Inspector Okimba falls under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) managed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). You are therefore advised to approach late Inspector Okimba’s Pension Fund Administrators and PenCom to claim the accrued pension benefits of late Inspector Okimba.

     

    OWARI: I am an aggrieved man. I retired from paramilitary custom marine department. I was employed in November 27, 1974 and retired in January 1, 2004. I am sending this sms to remind PTAD of the non-payment of my pension. My complain is that, since January 1st, 2004 till date my pension subsistence allowance from the sinking fund both arrears and regular monthly payment has not yet being paid to me. I have been verified and captured on April 14, 2014 at (CIPO) Gwagwalada Abuja an official who issued me my capturing number. And since then nothing is done till date. Besides, I was also verified and captured at pension transitional arrangement directorate which I was also issued with pensioner’s verification acknowledgement form of personal data pensioner number. Please help me. I need my entitlements.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Owari, please be informed your gratuity was paid to you by the defunct CIPPO in 2008 while arrears of monthly pension from retirement January 2007 to February 2017 was paid in March 2017 by PTAD and pay rolled immediately. For more information call 09-462-1700 or log on to www.ptad.gov.ng

     

  • Lagos implores workers to improve on service delivery

    Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has implored workers to improve on service delivery to Lagosians.

    Speaking on the importance of strategic management for the actualisation of the mission and vision of the state at a workshop organised for the state public sevice, Ambode lauded the workers for their performance.

    Represented by Commissioner for Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, Ambode  urged the workers not to rest on their oars.

    He said improvements are not only important, they are also critical and fundamental. He promised that he would always ensure that they are on the path to actualising their vision and fulfilling mission.

    He disclosed that enormous value and investment have been given to the impartation of knowledge and skills of the workers.

    He urged the workers to make better contributions to the productivity and effectiveness of the public service.

    He noted that they must learn the importance of team work in the execution of strategies, ensure open communication, good management and effective leadership.

    “Without these hallmarks of corporate governance, it is difficult to manage strategically because the basic framework of goal-setting and decision-making are missing. Setting up a control and reporting mechanism is also important to strategic management as part of a wider corporate governance push.

    “This allows the organisation to make changes when they are needed to constantly monitor its own progress,”he said:

    He stressed that each department and unit of the public service needs to identify and capitalise on its core competencies. “These competencies then have to be developed and enhanced. After this, the Public Service must ensure that the competencies are not unnecessarily duplicated unless when compelled by exigencies,”he said.

    He continued:“If you know, for instance, that your department business is lagging behind in utilising the power of the internet to serve our esteemed citizens, one of your goals can be to revitalise or introduce an online platform to connect or communicate with the segment of the population that your department serves.

    “Importantly, the goals set should be measurable, specific and have a time frame attached to them. Setting goals in this way helps to strategically position the organisation for continuing and future successes.

    “I will like to emphasise that no framework for strategic management can be effective in the absence of team work and synergy. This is another aspect of growth and productivity that the Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions has been emphasising in the different trainings and workshops organised.”

  • PenCom yet to implement transfer window law

    •Contributors cry out

    Fourteen years after the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is yet to open the transfer window platform that will enable pension contributors and retirees change their Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) when they feel dissatisfied with service rendered.

    This means that the Commission has failed to implement its own law, precisely Section 13 and Section 106 subsection 1 to 4 of the Pension Reform Act 2004 as repealed by PRA 2014.

    The Pension Reform Act 2004 as repealed by PRA 2014 stipulates that a contributor will be allowed to move his or her RSA account from one PFA to another in not more than once in a year.

    But the law is yet to be implemented by PenCom 14 years after the enactment of the PRA 2004.

    Section 13 states that subject to the guideline issued by the Commission, a holder of RSA maintained under the Act may not more than once in a year transfer his account from one PFA to another.

    Section 106 stipulates that an employee or beneficiary of a Retirement Savings Account (RSA), who is dissatisfied with a decision of the PFA or employer in respect of pension matters under this Bill, may request, in writing, that such decisions be reviewed by PenCom with a view to ensuring that such decision is made in accordance with the provisions of this Bill or any regulations made.

    It further stated that a copy of any request under subsection (1) shall be served on the relevant PFA or employee.

    The Commission shall in reviewing a request of a PFA or employer, conduct its proceedings in such a manner to avoid delay.

    Where either party is dissatisfied with the decision of the Commission on any matter referred to it, such party may refer the matter to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act or to the National Industrial Court.

    Insider source, who spoke with journalists under the condition of anonymity, however, revealed that the Pension Application System (PASS) meant to digitalise the pension industry and allow the transfer window to be open has been put aside by the new administration of PenCom.

    One of the source said the transfer window is billed to commence on June 1, this year, but all the processes put in place to ensure that the window is open has been put away.

    He said the new management is considering starting the process all over again rather than continue with the processes that were on ground.

    Meanwhile, contributors and retirees have, however, cried out to the government to intervene and relieve them.

    A contributor, Mr Amadi lamented that his PFA has continued to serve him poorly.

    He said he wanted to change, but was trapped with the PFA as he was told that he will neither collect his contributions nor change to another PFA.

    Similarly, a retiree, Mrs Oladipo said her PFA refused to send her statement account, failed to transfer her to her chosen insurer for the annuity plan, which she opted for after every retirement on time.

    She believed that if retirees and contributors are allowed to change their PFAs to another, the PFAs will improve on their services, bearing in mind that they could be dump at anytime.

     

  • PenCom: No fund to pay 2017 pension

    PenCom: No fund to pay 2017 pension

    •Retirees demand payment

    The Federal Government is yet to release money for payment of pension benefits to its former workers who retired from March 2017, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has said.

    Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) across the country are demanding for their pension payment.

    The Commission’s Head of Corporate Communications, Peter Aghahowa, reacting to retirees’ agitations, said they would be paid as soon as the Federal Government releases money to the Commission.

    He, however, stated that the Federal Government has released money for pension payment to retirees, who retired between January to February 2017, adding that the Commission was prepared to pay the retirees few weeks from now.

    The Pension Reform Act 2014 as repealed by PRA 2004 established the CPS, whose objective is to ensure that every person who worked in either the Public Service of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory, states and local governments or private sector receives his retirement benefits as and when  due.

    Section 11 subsection  6 states that any employer, who fails to deduct or remit the contributions within the time stipulated in addition to making remittance already due, be liable to a penalty to be stipulated by the Commission.

    Subsection 7 further states that the penalty shall not be less than 2 per cent of the total contribution that remains unpaid for each month or part of each month the default continue and the amount of the penalty shall be recoverable as a debt owed to the employee’s retirement savings account as the case may be.

    Meanwhile, in a letter by retirees under the auspices of the Association of Federal Contributory Scheme Pensioners, Oyo State chapter, to PenCom, which demanded to be paid their pension, they said the commission with the Federal Government had promised them prompt payment of pension immediately after retirement or at most, three months after.

    The retirees lamented that they have stopped paying  them upon retirement, noting that the bad old days of retirement is back.

    President of the Associationj, Chief Amao Shittu and its Secretary, Prince E.A. Akingbade, stated that the promise ought to be kept in order to preserve the life of pensioners and those of their family members and dependants.

     

     

  • Lagos workers aid growth

    Lagos State is experiencing exponential growth because of its team of dedicated workers, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.

    Ambode, who spoke on the topic: “Coaching for Higher Performance”, during an ongoing two-day training programme for the state Public Service, said they have been investing in every public officer by designing and delivering coaching instructions that would increase their knowledge and skills, such that the multiplier effect will be seen by the people.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Establishments, Training, and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson, the Governor said the benefits for the state public service in were enormous.

    He said, for instance, that it empowered individuals and encouraged them to take responsibility, increase employee and staff engagement; improved individual performance and, therefore, organisational performance and helped to identify and develop high potential employees.

    He added that it also helped identify both organisational and individual strengths and development opportunities, motivate and empower individuals to excel while it demonstrated organisational commitment to human resource development.

    Ambode said: “The ultimate goal for all organisations is to attain optimal state of performance and effectiveness where its units and teams and departments are headed by persons who understand what leadership means and who have developed their leadership potentials and have enhanced their performance skills. It is only at such a point in time that organisations can experience exponential growth.

    He, however, said no matter how often or how seriously one discusses the importance of leadership skills for every officer of the Lagos State Public Service, the efforts would be meaningless and would amount to undertaking a journey without a map, unless and until a clear path to acquiring the critical leadership skills is created and adopted.

    According to him, the creation and adoption of such a path is the purpose of the training workshop. “As I have indicated at several other fora, once the state public service is able to attain that optimal state of effectiveness and productivity through proper coaching, no problem will be too complicated, no task too herculean, no challenge too huge for it to confront head-on,” he said.

    The governor noted that indeed, this was part of his vision for state public service: that the state government would invest in every public officer by designing and delivering coaching instructions that would increase the knowledge and skills of every officer such that the multiplier effect on the public service would be dynamism, responsiveness and effectiveness.

    Indeed, it is clear by the public statements and actions of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration that in envisioning a civil service peopled by leaders, the administration was mindful that leadership is not about a title or a designation. Rather, it’s about impact, influence and inspiration.

    The purpose of the training, therefore, was to begin the monumental task of helping every officer of the state public service become impactful, influential and productive to such degrees that the output of the civil service will inspire our citizens.

    The Commisioner stated that what the administration wanted to achieve was a state public service where every officer is able and empowered to set a clear vision regarding his or her duties and effectively communicate it to colleagues, providing them with a clear understanding of the desired direction. The officer is also able to provide stability, inspiration, courage and direction during the times of crisis and when dealing with relationships between co-workers, amongst others.

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    RUMIN: My complaint is non-payment of my late father’s gratuity from police pension. I am the son and next of kin to the late Inspector Akpagher, who died in June 2005. Since then I have not received a kobo as his pension benefits. I followed due process by attending all verification exercises where I provided all neccessary documents and information. But I am yet to receive my late father’s gratuity payment. I am, therefore, appealing to the authority concerned to consider my plight and assist me in getting my late father’s gratuity.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Rumin, please we require more documents from you to enable us determine the pension scheme of your late father. Kindly send us the letter of enlistment into the Nigeria Police Force. Kindly email the above document to complaints@ptad.gov.ng or access our pensioner’s complaint submission portal at www.ptad.gov.ng

     

    IGBO: I retired in 1994. My Federal Pension as at October 2010 was N13, 866. It was cut down to N4,164.00 after a lump sum of N309,000 was paid in December 2012. My pension complaint appeared in The Nation newspaper of Wednesday 13/12/2017. I have made the documents you requested available to the commission more than 10 times. I have made two personal representations at the commission. I was not told what was wrong only to wait since 2010. I was present at the verification exercise in Owerri, Imo State in 2015, yet the delay continues and I continue to suffer. The documents are all there in your office.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Igbo, we have reviewed all the documents submitted following verification and your monthly pension has been re-computed. Payment will be made as soon as funds are released for that purpose. We apologise for the delay.

     

    OWARI: I am an aggrieved man. I retired from para-military Custom Marine department. I was employed in November 27, 1974 and retired in January 1, 2004. I am sending this short message service (sms) to remind the PTAD of the non-payment of my pension. My complain is that since January 1, 2004 till date my pension subsistence allowance from the sinking fund both arrears and regular monthly payment have not been paid to me. I have been verified and captured on April 14, 2014 at (CIPO), Gwagwalada, Abuja. An official issued me my capturing number. Since then nothing has been done till date. Besides, I was also verified and captured at PTAD) where I was also issued with pensioner’s verification acknowledgement form of personal data pensioner number. Please help me. I need my entitlements.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Owari, please be informed that your gratuity was paid to you by the defunct CIPPO in 2008 while arrears of monthly pension from retirement January 2007 to February 2017 was paid in March 2017 by PTAD and pay rolled immediately. For more information call 09-462-1700 or log on to www.ptad.gov.ng

     

    BABATUNDE:   I retired from NIPOST in July 23, 2005. My contribution in the Contributory Pension Scheme was up to N46,338.92 of which I have applied for, up till now, I am yet to be paid. My pay slip photocopies were forwarded to PTAD in Abuja.

    PTAD: Kindly be informed PTAD does not manage pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Please forward the following documents to determine if infact you are a PTAD pensioner; Letter of first appointment, letter of last promotion and letter of retirement. Kindly email the above documents to complaints@ptad.gov.ng or access our pensioner’s complaint submission portal at www.ptad.gov.ng You can also visit any of our zonal offices where complaints can be processed. For more information call us toll free on 080-2255-7823.

     

    OSAM: My fa              ther died since July 10, 2005. He served last at Police Mobile Force 26 Uyo, as a police inspector. His name is Okimba. I did all that was required of me for his gratuity to be paid in 2006, but it proved abortive. Later in march 2015, I took part in the second police pension verification exercise and did image capturing at the PTAD Maitama, Abuja, where all necessary documents were successfully submitted as required by the screening committee as the next of kin. But  till date, no payment has been made. Please help me out of this distress.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Osam, kindly note that your late father joined the Nigeria Police Force on 1st March, 1977 but died on 10th July, 2005. In  line with the Pension Reform Act of 2004 as amended, the late Inspector Okimba falls under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) managed by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). You are, therefore, advised to approach late Inspector Okimba’s Pension Fund Administrators and PenCom to claim the accrued pension benefits of the late Inspector Okimba.

     

    DIOKA: My old mother,  Elizabeth, who retired as aprimary school teacher in 1984 (Imo State), is being paid a monthly pension of less than N3000. Can you believe it? What can N3000 purchase in Nigeria today? The pension is not even regular. It sometimes comes only when the Paris Club Fund is paid to states. Please, could you press it on the government of today to do a comprehensive review of the pension law, especially to make state governments  set up pension commissions in their states? Thank you. Chukwuma Dioka, Imo state.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Dioka, Please be informed that your mother is NOT a PTAD Pensioner, as primary school teachers are not under PTAD. She should kindly meet her state pension office to resolve her complaint. For more information log on to www.ptad.gov.ng

     

    ADEGOKE: I retired from customs in 2007. I want to know when pension issue of 20.37% being balance of 53.37% year 2010 pension increase arrears from July 2010 to date will be addressed and cleared. Arrears of 33% out of the 53.37% pension increase of July 2010 have been defrayed by PTAD in year 2016, leaving the balance of 20.37% arrears from July 2010 to date unpaid. what is responsible for the non-payment? could it be as a result of budgetary constraints? What has scaled down to pensioners disadvantage the year 2010 pension increase from 53.37% to 33%? Has arrangement reached advanced stage towards payment of the 20.37% arrears and when will it be paid? Please PTAD pay pensioners this arrears of 20.37% from July 2010 to date to put smile on our faces, or explain lucidly the true and proper position of this matter to us. Thanks.

    PTAD: In 2014, the Federal Government approved an increment in pensions of the 33% pension payment increase, effective July 2010, and PTAD has paid customs increment in full. For more information log on to www.ptad.gov.ng

     

  • Rage of senior citizens

    Rage of senior citizens

    Pensioners are unhappy with the Federal Government. They are not paid promptly by the National Pension Commission (PenCom); interest is not paid on accrued rights held at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS); and calculation of pension entitlement is opaque, among others, Omobola Tolu-Kusimo reports.

    Thousands of pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) have berated the Federal Government through the National Pension Commission (PenCom) for delayed payment, short payment and non payment of interest in accrued rights.

    They are also worried that the calculation of their pension is shrouded in secrecy (covering the scale of pension payment) and there is lack of care for the senior citizens.

    They also accused PenCom of non payment of interest on their accrued rights held at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since the commencement of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

    The angry pensioners said the Federal Government has failed them despite serving the country meritoriously in their active years.

    Chairman, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Association of Contributory Pensioners, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo in a statement titled, “Pencom is on Sabbatical while Contributory Pensioners Suffers” accused PenCom of lack of communication.

    He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun to release funds so they can receive their pension entitlements, noting that pensioners who retired in 2017 are yet to be paid.

    He further appealed to the National Assembly to extend their oversight functions to the welfare of contributory pensioners by looking into the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004 as repealed by PRA 2014 and make necessary amendment to the Act on all the shortcomings observed.

    He said: “As at today, no government ministries, agencies or we the contributory pensioners know how PenCom arrived at the amount of accrued pension rights paid to the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) on our behalf. Whenever we made enquires on the formula used, we were told by PenCom that they worked on the information provided by our employers, but we were never told how they arrived at our entitlements. Why should the almighty PenCom not be bothered on the mode of operations?

    “There is also the issue of none actualisation of 33 per cent payment and accrued 15 per cent upward review of payment to contributory pensioners, despite the fact that the old pension scheme from which retirees who retired on or before June 30,2007 were enjoying all the benefits. This is in spite of the fact that no law, rules or regulations says that contributory pensioners should not enjoy same. In the same vein, Section 173 (3) of our constitution states that pensioners shall be reviewed every 5 years or together with any federal civil service salary review, whichever is earlier. The upward review of contributory pensioners payment is still a dream since the commencement and implementation in year 2004 while several of the would-be pensioners had died.

    “PenCom has also been short changing us on payment of entitlement. While some ministries, agencies and departments had discovered wrong presentations to PenCom and had acknowledged the mistakes and made corrections themselves, yet Pencom refused to act on such corrections; while we continue to lament on wrong entitlement-payments. There is lack of pro-activeness nor care on our complaints and observations on the shortcomings in the system and total lack of interest in our affairs. As at today, several pensioners are yet to receive their entitlements almost a year after retirement from service.”

    Appealing to Buhari and Mrs Adeosun, the pensioners said: “We seriously appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria to recall PenCom from its sabbatical on the affairs of contributory pensioners as the welfare of all retired civil servants were one of the major responsibility of the Government. We also appeal to NASS to extend their over-site functions to our welfare since 2004.

    “It is our hope that PenCom shall be alive to her responsibilities on the affairs and our welfare since the job had been lifted from each Federal Government employers of labour to them and thereby resolved to work in harmony with the contributory pensioners associations. We call on the Commission to return from its sabbatical as many of pensioners die daily without the privilege to enjoy the benefit of their labour. We call on all the good citizens to rise against the injustice on pensioners in Nigeria.

    “The nonchalant attitude of PenCom to its mandate its refusal to take any positive step in resolving the problems, while the officials held themselves incommunicado, since no ministry, department or agencies has the right to ask PenCom on its responsibilities towards their former employers,” he said.

    He recalled that the Association of Contributory Pensioners of Nigeria held its first national symposium at Press Centre, Radio House, Garki, Abuja and NTA Association of Contributory Pensioners (NTA-ACPEN) mobilised its members and travelled from Lagos as delegates to be able to meet ‘Almighty PenCom’, which was given prominent position at the forum., He regretted that of all the MDAs invited, only PenCom turned her back on the contributory pensioners in the country.

    President, Interim Association of Contributory Pension Scheme Pensioners

    Comrade Matthew Shittu on his part said the latest problem facing retirees under the CPS are not only about the non payment of their retirement benefits as and when due, but about secrecy surrounding what were eventually paid to retirees.

    “PENCOM has decided to pay whatever amount the fund could pay to retirees and not what were due to retirees. This is because of scarcity of funds, as shown in the release of N18 Billion out of N50Billion appropriated to pay the balance of 2015 and 2016 retirees,

    “Before now, retirees were paid their final benefits under the Contributions Pension Scheme from 3 three clear sources which include the contributions with PFAs, accrued rights that were actuarially determined in 2004 and kept as bonds in the Central Bank of Nigeria; and acrued interests on the accrued rights since 2004 till the time of retirement. This is suppose to boost the total money payable to retirees to reduce the effect of inflation on the accrued rights.

    “Today, PenCom is only paying the contribution to PFA and the accrued rights kept in Central Bank of Nigeria since 2004 without the accrued interests since 2004. It is even a crime for PenCom to be silent over it as if pensioners had been paid in full. We are forwarding this clarification to you believing that PenCom officials may not positively respond to you as it is the norms today in Nigeria. But we may eventually drag PenCom to Court to address this illegality and act of inhumanity to man”, he added.