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Tag: pension

  • 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.

  • Ondo to offset accumulated gratuities, pension, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has promised that his administration will start clearing accumulated gratuities of retired workers as from January with the remaining arrears of pension.

    Akeredolu spoke in Akure, the state capital, while addressing the state retirees on the occasion of National Pensioners’ Day celebration with a theme: Pension Without Tension, Without Tears: A Task That Must Be Accomplished By The Union In The Years Ahead.

    Represented by his Special Adviser (SA) on Labour Matters, Alaba Isijola, the governor said necessary machineries were being put in place to ensure that Ondo State pensioners get their pension and gratuities regularly.

    Majority of retired workers since 2011 are yet to collect their gratuities while local government pensioners are also being owed three months’ pension and the state pensioners are being owed one monthly pension.

    Akeredolu said: “We inherited seven months’ pension arrears from the previous administration. But as at today, we have cleared almost everything. On the gratuities, the government has mapped out strategies of paying affected pensioners as from January. So, rest assured that Mr Governor will not promise what he cannot do. His love for workers and our fathers – retirees – is unequalled.”

    The state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Chief Raphael Adetuwo, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and governors to implement a section of the 1999 Constitution which stipulates an upward review of pension to enable them cope with economic realities in the country.

    Adetuwo noted that the continuous violation of Section 173, subsections 3 and 210 (3) of the Constitution by governments had exposed many retirees to untold hardship.

    According to him, some of them collect ridiculous pension, like N2,000 to N5,000 monthly.

    He said: “Besides, it is inhumane that there are still some pensioners whose monthly pension is less than N5,000 while many receive over N500,000 monthly.”

     

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    FLORENCE: Dear PTAD, thank you for informing me that deduction in my May pension was due to computation correction. But the short payment is more than what it has stated. My Federal gratuity too has not been paid since my retirement in 2005. Please I need solution.

    PTAD: Please scan and email your verification slip and supporting documents to complaints@ptad.gov.ng. This will enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you

     

    OZEGBE: My name is Ozegbe. I retired on October 15 2006 as  senior foreman carpenter on grade level 7 step 8. I did my capturing in 2016. My problem is nonpayment of federal share since 2006 till date. Thanks

    PTAD: Kindly scan and email your verification slip to complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

     

    KAWONISE: I am Kawonise. I retired from Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Lagos. I have not been paid my pension for April and May 2018. Kindly help me out of this problem and save me from hunger. Thank you.

    PTAD: Kindly scan and email your verification slip as well as your duly signed and stamped bank statement, covering at least six (6) months before complaint to complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

     

    BAIYEGUN: My name is Baiyegun, I am an Ondo State pensioner with Federal share. I was verified by the PTAD during the last exercise and captured into their scheme. My financial benefit was supposed to start from January 1, 2002 but to my surprise when I received bank alert for the payment, the PTAD only paid me for March, April and May 2018. When am I going to receive the arrears of my pensions, starting from January 1, 2002? Please I am dying.

    PTAD: Please note that PTAD has compiled the list of pensioners for the next batch of pension arrears payment and is waiting for the allocation and release of funds from the Federal Government for this purpose. Thank you.

     

    ALI: My name is Ali; I am from Plateau State. I have not been
    put on payroll. I am being owed gratuity and accumulated pension arrears. Please come to my rescue.

    PTAD is concluding computation of pension benefits for pensioners in Northcentral. You will be put on the payroll as soon as this process is complete. Payment of pension arrears will make when funds are released and allocated by the Federal Government for that purpose. Thank you.

     

    MUFUTAU: I am Mufutau, a retiree of NICON Insurance in October 1990. I participated in PTAD verification in October 2017. I was later told that others were paid while mine has not been paid. PTAD claims my name was not forwarded to them.

    PTAD: Kindly scan and email your verification slip as well as your duly signed and stamped bank statement covering at least six (6) months before complaint to complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

     

    CHARANCI: I did not receive my pension in the month of April and May 2018. Yusuf Hassan Charanci.

    PTAD: Kindly scan and email your verification slip as well as your duly signed and stamped bank statement covering at least six (6) months before complaint to complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

     

    NENROT: I have been verified since November 2018 by PTAD in Plateau zone. PTAD has not put me on payroll.

    PTAD is concluding computation of pension benefits for pensioners in Northcentral. You will be put on the payroll as soon as this process is complete. Payment of pension arrears will be made when  funds are released and allocated by the Federal Government for that purpose. Thank you.

    ALI: My name is Mike. I will like to remind you of my late father’s pension increment arrears. He is retired inspector Ali and he retired in Benue State. I look forward to hearing from you.

    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.

    ADEJUMO: My name is Adejumo from Ibadan Oyo
    State. I am a Federal pensioner. I am being owed seven years and seven months’ arrears of pension from March 2003 to August 2010. I retired in February 2003 after 35 years of service with the Federal Ministry of Defence as a Senior Typist Grade 1 on GL 8 step 8. I started to get my pension from October 2010 and I am still receiving. On October 17, 2017, when I appeared for verification at International Conference Centre University of Ibadan, I presented my complaint with relevant documents, including bank statements from 2003 to 2017 to show clearly that I didn’t receive pension during the period of claim. I attended verification exercise on 17th October 2017 and was issued pensioner’s verification acknowledgement form. Please help me find out what is happening to my case.

  • Ogun civil servants write Amosun, lament unremitted pension funds, others

    Civil servants in Ogun State have  expressed  worry over the  “uncertain future” that await them following  the non-remittance of 106 months of Contributory Pension by Governor Ibikunle Amosun – led government.
    Acting under the aegis of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSC), the workers in a letter dated 5th December and addressed to Governor Amosun, lamented the unpaid four years leave bonus, 10 months of unpaid Trade Union Check-Off Due and gratuity payment suspended since January 2014.
    In the letter titled : “Revisiting Our Plight: Unpaid Entitlements and Other Issues” signed by its Secretary, Comrade Adebiyi Olusegun,  the workers also listed months of unpaid global deductions and outstanding promotion from 2016, 2017 and 2018 as arrears owed them by the state government.
    The workers said the situation has left them at the “crossroads where capacity to absorb shocks and uncertainties any longer has been exhausted.”
    The Council noted with dismay the alleged breach of agreement on the part of government as regards the last tranche of the Paris Club refund of N17. 3bn to the State on payment of arrears of Trade Union Check Off-Dues.
    “We must as well register our displeasure on the sort of maltreatment, meted out to the Organised Labour over the last tranche of the Paris Club refund of N17. 3bn to the State which from the outset we collaborate with open conscience to have addressed a press conference hurriedly that the State government will commit a total of over N10bn of it to offering various outstanding due to state workers, inclusive of all arrears of Trade Union Check off Dues as communicated to us by the Honourable Commissioner of Finance.
    “We therefore take the outright neglect of Trade Union’s in eventual payment of some these arrears as betrayal of trust,” the letter read.
    The Council urged the state government to address all these issue so as to avoid any form on industrial disharmony.
    They therefore called for an “Immediate action at addressing these long drawn issues would go some miles at dousing the tensed situation now at its ebbs which, as it were, might disrupt the relative industrial harmony currently being experienced in the state.”

  • Better pay, pension coming for Police

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved an enhanced salary structure for the Police, it was learnt yesterday.

    He assured that his administration will continue to give attention to the welfare and operational needs of the Police with a view to restoring its lost primacy in the internal security framework of the country.

    The President spoke in Abuja during an audience with the leadership of the Police Service Commission (PSC), who were at the State House to show appreciation for the pay rise.

    With the approval, the salaries, allowances and pensions of policemen will go up.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity Garba Shehu, the President regretted that the inability of the police in their constitutional role as the frontline force in the prevention of crime led to military involvement in the maintenance of law and order throughout the country.

    Buhari was quoted as saying: “From Taraba to Sokoto, to the Southsouth, people don’t feel secured until they see the military. I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system.”

    He observed that the more efficient the police are, the more confident the government and citizens will be.

    “The military should be reserved for higher tasks. The police should be able to cope well with the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and such crimes. In every town and village, there is the presence of the police.

    “From all these places, they should be able to forward first class intelligence to you on which to act.

    “There is a need to amplify the question of more men of the police, especially given the condition we are in – emergency in the North-East, pervasive insecurity and abduction for ransom and banditry in many parts of the country.

    “I congratulate you on the success you recorded against criminals taxing people and stopping them from their farms. We are expecting more from you,” the President told the police.

    Full-time Commissioner in the commission, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd), who represented the chairman and a former IGP, Musiliu Smith, told the President that the Rank Salary Structure Adjustment would enhance police welfare and morale.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, promised that the police would redouble efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections next year.

    “We are ready; we have gone round the country; we have conducted several by-elections, which obviously prepared us to face the main challenge next year.”

    The IGP, who was with the  the PSC leadership, told State House reporters that the stage was set for the forthcoming elections.

    He said: “We are ready; we have gone round the country; we have conducted several by-elections which obviously prepared us to face the main challenge next.

    “I am assuring all Nigerians that we are going to do our best in ensuring that we have a free and credible election next year. Obviously, we have the equipment but if we can get more, we will appreciate it.”

    On the welfare of officers and men, he said he was excited with the commitment and efforts aimed at improving not only the salary but the training of the Police Force.

    According to him, he “expects more dedication and loyalty to government and people of Nigeria from the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.”

    Justice Ogunbiyi said the welfare of Policemen needed to be enhanced because the idea of security had become critical.

    Policemen, she said, should be encouraged as the populace will like to see them perform maximally.

    Justice Ogunbiyi said: “We are here on behalf of the PSC to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for seeing it fit to enhance the welfare of Nigeria Police.

    “To enhance their emolument generally and to see that things are improved not only in terms of salaries and allowances but also seeing that infrastructure is improved; their working conditions, training …

    “In our recent retreat; we were in Enugu and we saw that a lot of the training facilities are in deplorable condition.

    “We will want to see that our policemen are properly trained; and our police will be able to match up with any police force anywhere in the world.

    “This is one the reasons why we think we need to encourage the government to do that and the President is doing same in the right direction.”

  • Pension: PTAD payrolls 9,125 ex-workers of NITEL/MTEL

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has included 9,125 ex-workers of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), and its mobile subsidiary, MTEL, to its monthly pension payroll.

    The organization said yesterday in Abuja that the addition of the pensioners to the payroll came after 12 years of uncertainty post privatisation of NITEL/MTEL.

    PTAD said the inclusion of the ex-workers was in fulfilment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment in ensuring that all pensioners get their entitlements.

    It also announced that payments to 1,385 next of kins of deceased pensioners would follow shortly as soon as the Directorate concludes the computation of the deceased pensioners’ benefits.

    The directorate also noted that it has so far verified and recently pay-rolled Delta Steel Company (DSC), Nigeria Reinsurance and NICON Insurance pensioners.

    The Executive Secretary of PTAD Ms Sharon Ikeazor, had in August, assured the ex-workers that they would be put on the monthly payroll for onward payment of their pensions for life.

    She had said that the greatest injustice was not to pay workers their wages after meritorious service to their father land.

    She had assured pensioners that payment of their pension arrears would be made as soon as funds are allocated and released to the directorate.

    PTAD had between Jan. 15 to Jan. 26 carried out the verification of pensioners of NITEL and MTEL under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

    The exercise was conducted across the six geo-political zones of the country.

     

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    KURE: PTAD omitted my name from August 2017 salary. Visits made and bank account statement submitted in September. It is yet to be paid. I retired in 1997. I need your urgent action please. I know it is human error. Thank you.

    PTAD: This is to inform you that your complaint has been reviewed and will be resolved.

     

    ALOZIE: My name is Alozie, a retiree from the National Institute for Nigerian Languages, Aba. I retired from Federal Public Service on February 28, 2005 on attainment of 35 years in service. My question is that having received the 33 per cent pension arrears paid to parastatals for 18 months only, may I know when the balance of the approved pension arrears would be paid to retirees of parastatals, especially the Universities and Inter University Institutions? Thank you for your cooperation.

    PTAD: Dear Mr Onwuegbu, PTAD pays pension arrears subject to availability of funds from the treasury. We are working hard to ensure the balance of pension arrears is paid. Thank you.

     

    AJAYI: This is my second letter on my pension issue. I have been verified since August, last year. My name is Ajayi from Ondo State. My date of verification is 14/8/2017. I have not been paid since January, 2011. My payment was stopped from pay roll since December, 2010.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Ajayi, Please note that PTAD is currently computing all pensioner benefits in phases. Please be patient while we compute your benefits. Thank you.

     

    ANYIN: My complaint is non-payment of federal share since 2004 to date. My retirement date is November, 1985. My last post held was Secretary for Administration and Finance. Grade level 16. Cross River State.

    PTAD: Dear Mr. Anyin, Please submit the following documents through our complaint portal at complints@ptad.gov.ngfor further review:

    1. Bank Account statement from 2004. The bank statement he submitted started from August 2007. Please note that the statement from 2004 should reflect the last payment you received from Federal Government.
    2. Last promotion letter. This was not provided during your verification.Thank you.

     

    OLOWOLAGBA: Dear Omobola, thanks for your past assistance. Kindly help publish this in your Wednesday edition, as usual for PTAD’s urgent attention. The under-listed names are all NEPA/PHCN pensioners. Some were not paid their monthly pensions while others were short paid. They are Olore, who was not paid his July, August and September 2013 monthly pensions; Duribe, November 2015 monthly pension; Kasumu, Ashimiyu , Mrs. Agboola, Olaleye, November, 2015 not paid . Adesanya, Adedeji, Mrs. Akadri, Mrs. Ganiyu, were short paid. Ishola was not paid his November, 2013 monthly pension while Oluwafemi had not been paid his gratuity at monthly pension since February, 2012 after attaining the mandatory age of 45 years. All letters with necessary documents, including bank statements have been sent to PTAD. But up till now, nothing has been done. Kindly help expedite action to let PTAD pay them promptly, without further delay, Thanks. Olowolagba, Assistant Secretary, Esrewan, Ibadan chapter.

    PTAD: Below is our response

    1. Dear Mr Olore, kindly provide you bank statements from June 2013 to date to enable us resolve your complaint. Thank you
    2. Dear Mr. Duribe, kindly provide you bank statements from October 2015 to date to enable us resolve your complaint. Thank you
    3. Kasumu, Ashimiyu, Mrs. Agboola and Mr Olaleye should each provide their bank statement from October 2015 to date to enable us resolve their complaint. Thank you
    4. Adesanya, Adedeji, Mrs. Akadri. and Mrs. Ganiyu should each provide their bank statement from October 2015 to date to enable us resolve their complaint. Thank you
    5. Dear Mr. Ishola, your complaint is currently receiving attention. Please be patient while we try to resolve it. Thank you
    6. Dear Mr. Oluwafemi, your complaint is currently receiving attention. Please be patient while we try to resolve it. Thank you.

     

    MANUEL: My name is Manuel. My mother’s pension was stopped in November 2010. She was a staff of ministry of Communication (NITEL), she was on federal pension under the old scheme. Her monthly pay was N16,229.17k Thanking you in anticipation.

    PTAD: Dear Mr Morgan, kindly email your complaint to complaints@ptad.gov.ng and include the pensioner’s Name, Account Number and Bank Verification Number (BVN) to help us resolve your complaint.

     

  • Govt releases N795m for pension payment

    About N795 million has been released for the payment of accrued pension of retirees in Lagos State.

    The Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) said yesterday that the gesture was in fulfilment of monthly pension settlement embarked on by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    LASPEC said the fund was released for 213 public service retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

    It said 9,804 retirees had been paid their accrued pension arrears of N40,245 billion.

    The cash, it said, was  paid into the beneficiaries’ Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) from the inception of the Governor Ambode administration to date.

    “His Excellency has remained committed to pensioners’ welfare despite the huge funding obligations facing the administration.

    “For this reason, funds are released monthly into the RSA of employees. The accrued rights are gradually being cleared,” LASPEC said in a statement by its Director-General, Mrs. Folashade Onanuga.

    The commission said there was a move by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to execute the Pension Law on guaranteed Minimum Pension for life.

    “The law will be executed for retirees under the Programmed Withdrawal benefit option, as it will be recalled that the annuity option offers pension for life for the annuitants,” the statement said.

     

  • Pension complaints and solutions

    ZEGBE: My name is Ozegbe. I retired on October 15, 2006 as a senior foreman carpenter on grade level 7 step 8. I did my capturing in 2016. My problem is non payment of federal share since 2006 till date. From Delta state. Thanks

    PTAD:  Kindly scan and  email your verification slip to  complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us  investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

    MUFUTAU:  I am Mufutau, a retiree of NICON Insurance since October 1990. I participated in PTAD verification in October 2017. I was later told that others were paid while mine has not been paid. PTAD claims my name was not forwarded to them.

    PTAD: Kindly scan and email your verification slip as well as your duly signed and stamped bank statement covering at least six (6) Months before complaint to complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

    BAIYEGUN: My name is Baiyegun, I am an Ondo State pensioner with Federal share. I was verified by PTAD during the last exercise and captured into their scheme. My financial benefit was supposed to start from January 1, 2002, but to my surprise when I received bank alert for the payment, PTAD only paid me pension for March, April and May 2018. When am I going to receive the arrears of my pensions? Starting from January 1, 2002. Please I am dying.

    PTAD: Please note that PTAD has compiled the names of pensioners for the next batch of pension arrears payment and is waiting for the allocation and release of funds from the Federal Government for this purpose. Thank you.

    FLORENCE: Dear PTAD, thank you for informing me that deduction in my May pension was due to computation correction. But the short payment is more than what it has stated. My federal gratuity too has not been paid since my retirement in 2005. Please I need solution. Florence.

    PTAD: Please scan and email your verification slip and supporting documents to complaints@ptad.gov.ng. This will enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you

    KAWONISE: I am Kawonise. I retired from Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Lagos. I have not been paid my pension salary for April and May 2018. Kindly help me out of this problem, save me from hunger. Thank you.

    PTAD: Kindly scan and email your verification slip as well as your duly signed and stamped bank statement covering at least six (6) months before complaint to complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

    CHARANCI: I did not receive my pension in the months of April and May 2018. Yusuf Hassan Charanci.

    PTAD: Kindly scan and email your verification slip as well as your duly signed and stamped bank statement covering at least six (6) Months before complaint to complaints@ptad.gov.ng to enable us investigate and resolve your complaint. Thank you.

    NENROT: I was verified since November 2018 by PTAD in Plateau zone. PTAD has not put me on payroll.

    PTAD is concluding computation of pension benefits for pensioners in North Central. You will be put on the payroll as soon as this process is complete. Payment of pension arrears will be made when funds are released and allocated by the Federal Government for that purpose.  Thank you.

    ALI: My name is Ali, I am from Plateau State. I have not been put on payroll. I am being owed gratuity and accumulated pension arrears. Please come to my rescue.

    PTAD: We are concluding computation of pension benefits for pensioners in the North Central. You will be put on the payroll as soon as this process is complete. Payment of pension arrears will be made when funds are released and allocated by the Federal Government for that purpose. Thank you.

  • Udom pays 10-year teachers’ gratuity, pension

    The Akwa Ibom Youth League (AYL) has commended Governor Udom Emmanuel administration’s for clearing the ten -year gratuity of primary and secondary school teachers it inherited from the Akpabio administration.

    The group urged the administration to fast-track the documentation process so that civil servants would also benefit immediately they are captured into the system.

    The group also advised the government to put machinery in place so that such abuse of the rights of teachers and other civil servants does not happen again.

    Akwa Ibom Head of Civil Service Mrs. Ekereobong Akpan, while giving the administration’s scorecard, said in its first year, it cleared the gratuity from 2011 to 2011.

    The group said:  ”The payment of the debt by the state is greatly welcome and it would go a long way in restoring the hope and passion of the citizens for their government. Indeed, many of the civil servants would have given up hope on the government, but this deed by the Udom Emmanuel administration is a great boost that we want the government to continue.

    “Indeed when civil servants retire they should be entitled to their benefits and the denial of such does not do the government any good.

    Noting the regular payment of civil servants’ salaries and pension entitlements to retired civil servants, the group said:

    “We nevertheless urge the government not to rest on its oars and to address individual issues from civil servants dealing with irregular documentation and other related issues that may have caused some retired civil servants not to have benefited from the efforts of the government.”

    “We also urge the government to put machinery in place so that the malfeasances that led to the piling up of the gratuities are never repeated either now or in the future. “