The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Pensioners

  • Pensioners condemn agitations for breakup

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has asked those agitating for the country’s break up to stop and join hands with the government to promote unity.

    The union appealed to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for the payment of the outstanding 18 months of 33  per cent pension arrears, following the signing of the budget.

    In a statement by its General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, the union praised the Federal Government for this month’s prompt payment of pensions to pensioners.

    The statement said: “We appreciate the Federal Government for listening to the voice of the Union by acting fast to ensure that our people have a very happy sallah celebration.

    “The Union wishes to appreciate the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), especially the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, for her effort at ensuring that this payment scaled through.  The prayer of all pensioners will abide with her.

    “The Union thanked Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Registrar of Trade Unions and all government agencies involved in the monthly payments of pension.

    “The NUP joins her voice to call for the unity of Nigeria and condemns all those who are encouraging hate speeches to desist and let us build together a virile country.

    “Finally, the Union requests the Acting President to use his good offices to ensure payment of outstanding 18 months of 33 per cent pension arrears and other pension arrears now that the budget has been signed into law.”

  • Akeredolu: Last govt owed workers, pensioners N79b

    Akeredolu: Last govt owed workers, pensioners N79b

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarortimi Akeredolu (SAN) has said the last administration under Dr Olusegun Mimiko owed workers and pensioners N79 billion.

    He restated his administration’s commitment to ensure that civil servants are paid the salary arrears owed them by the former administration.

    The governor said he considered the act as a commitment and sacrifice to the service of the state.

    He assured that his administration would give priority to the welfare of civil servants.

    Akeredolu, who spoke yesterday during the third session of the 11th Synod of Diocese of Akoko by Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) at St. George’s Anglican Church in Okeagbe Akoko, recalled that all workers’ salaries owed by the former administration was N38 billion, while retirees were owed N41 billion as gratuities.

    Represented by the Government House Chaplain, Venerable Benjamin Babalola, the governor assured that despite the debts, the welfare of the workforce would get priority attention.

    He said: “By the special grace of God, our administration will soon offset the salaries owed the workers.

    “The salary arrears owed workers by the previous administration amounted to N38.57 billion, while N41.5 billion was owed to retired personal as gratuities.

    “To the workers, let me say it loud and clear once again that I am resolute in my commitment to make your welfare the priority of the administration.

    “I am aware of your pains and agony. I feel your pains and what you are going through. I can see your suffering. But with faith in God, I am re-affirming my promise that I will not collect a dime until civil servants are fully paid their salaries arrears.”

    Akeredolu stressed the need to improve on the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to enhance even development.

    He thanked the people of Akoko for supporting him during the last governorship election.

    Akeredolu assured them that they would not regret electing him as their governor.

    He said: “My people in Akoko land, you have supported and elected me as your governor to find solution to some of the challenges facing us in this state. I have seen the sorry state of Akoko Road; our roads are in bad shape. But I urge you to be patient and see how God will help us to restore the lost glory of Akoko land.”

  • Ogun begins council workers’, pensioners’ screening today

    The screening of Ogun State local government pensioners among retired primary school teachers and pre-1991 retired teachers will begin today.

    The screening is expected to end on June 13.

    A statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Local Government Pension, Mrs. Irene Afolashade Kokumo, said the screening for retired local government workers would today.

    The permanent secretary said it would be held at designated centres in the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas (LCDAs).

    She urged pensioners to present their valid identification cards, two passport photographs and other necessary documents for the screening.

    The statement said the verification will begin daily at 9 a.m.

  • Osun pensioners protest 12 months arrears, seek FG’s intervention

    Osun pensioners protest 12 months arrears, seek FG’s intervention

    Pensioners  under the aegis of  Forum of 2011/12 Retired Public Servants of Osun,  on Tuesday took to the streets of Osogbo, urging the Federal Government to prevail on the state government to pay their 12 month arrears.

    Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on the protest, the Chairman of the Forum,  Mr Omoniyi Ilesanmi, said non payment of pension to retirees had led to the death of 1,625 members since  2013.

    Ilesanmi, who said many  of their members had  become bedridden due to ill heath  and inability to  pay for  treatment, stressed  that others could no longer meet  their  basic needs.

    He called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to direct the Ministry of  Finance and the CBN to release the second  tranche  of  the Paris Club loan refund to Osun to remedy the situation.

    The spokesman also urged  the acting president to direct both the CBN  and the Federal Ministry of  Finance   to properly monitor the disbursement and utilisation of the fund in the state.

    Mr Shola Olojede, the Secretary of the Forum, said what government was owing  pensioners and  workers  totalled  12 months in accumulated pension  and salaries.

    Olojede said the state government had been  paying half of  pension and salaries to pensioners and workers since July 2015 and which amounted to  12 months arrears.

    He said government was owing N27.6 billion in pension and salaries for the 12 months and  N22 billion in backlog of gratuities from 2008 to 2012.

    Olojede said that government  had, however, told the pensioners at a meeting that it had no funds to pay them.

  • Pensioners are suffering, says NLC

    Pensioners are suffering, says NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress  (NLC) has said pensioners are suffering because of the inability of the  Federal Government to remit accrued pension funds of its retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme(CPS), which came into force in 2004.

    It warned that the future of the CPS was under threat if the government did not move fast to remit the cash.

    Speaking at the congress of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the CPS was being threatened by the non-compliance of its major stakeholders, especially employers.

    He decried the prevailing situation whereby retirees under the scheme  suffer alot of hardship to access their funds.

    According to him, if the challenges in the scheme were not addressed, the scheme would hit the rocks soon.

    Ayuba said: “Issues of payment of benefit in Nigeria have become a nightmare. This needs to be addressed.”

    NUP President, Dr. Abel Afolayan, highlighted some of the challenges confronting the scheme.

    He said the failure of the Federal Government to release funds had  made pensioners to suffer deprivation, lamenting that no retiree had been paid since October 2015.

    Many next of kin of deceased pensioners, he said, had not been able to access the entitlements of their relations, and that this has made life unbearable for the beneficiaries.

    He said: “Many organisations of government and employers have been defaulting on the regular remittances of contributions of workers to their pension fund administrators; this is affecting the philosophy of the scheme.

    “Non-compliance with Section 173 (3) and Section 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 15 of the 2014 Pension Reform Act (as amended) stipulates that pension shall be reviewed after every five years  or whenever workers salaries are reviewed, whichever one that is earlier. Non-compliance with the provisions of this law by government has made the contributory pensioners lose 15 per cent pension increase of 2007 and 33 per cent increase in 2010.”

  • Pensioners to honour Ambode, others

    Pensioners to honour Ambode, others

    The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) will honour Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and five other governors for prompt payment of pensions.
    The other governors, who will be honoured at the 10th quadrennial delegates’ conference of the union in Kaduna are: Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Mohammed Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).
    The union will also honoured the Director of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), M.O. Murtala and the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Pension, Hassan Shekarau.
    In a statement in Abuja, NUP’s spokesman Bunmi Ogunkolade said new officials will be elected at the conference to run the affairs of the union for the next four years.

  • Pensioners plead for better welfare

    The National President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dr Abel Afolayan, has urged, federal and state governments to consider the plight of pensioners who had served the country meritoriously.
    Afolayan spoke during the election of new executive members of Ondo State Chapter of the Union held at NUP House in Akure, the state capital.The President was represented by the National Vice President (South West) Alhaji Lateef Adegoke.
    Afolayan used the occasion to rejoice with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi for their new positions.He urged state governors to consider the plight of the senior citizens,who according to him had died because of hunger and lack of fund for medication.
    The NUP chief charged the newly elected NUP leaders in the state to justify the confidence reposed in them by working hard to lift the union and its members.At the end of the election, Raphael Adetuwo emerged as State Chairman, Elder J. Salami, Vice Chairman, while other executives were mandated by the delegates to serve for another four years.
    The new chairman, Adetuwo, pledged his committment to defend the interest of all Pensioners and ensure their entitlements with the state and federal governments are promptly paid.

  • Pensioners state stand on Paris Club refund

    Pensioners state stand on Paris Club refund

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Southsouth zone, has asked for judicious use of the Paris Club refund given to states to pay salaries and pension arrears.

    Its Zonal Chairman Comrade Benjamin Eta said pensioners were partnering unions to ensure that they were not sidelined.

    He said the National Executive Committee of the union had notified the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of its stand.

    “The national executive committee has sent a letter to the NLC and to the union to monitor the use of that money.

    “This is because it is difficult for pensioners to get close to government,” Eta said.

    According to him, it was necessary for the NLC to be involved in the matter, considering its closeness to the government.

    “What the union will do is to liaise with the NLC, which is closer to the government, to see how that money can be properly put to use,” he said.

    The union called for the appropriate use of the cash.

    According to the Chairman of the union in Rivers State, Mr Festus Abibo, the president should prevail on governors to deploy the funds for the purpose they were meant for and not divert same for their uses.

    He called on state governments to carry out biometric verification of retirees from 2014-2016 to pay up their gratuities and entitle-ments early.

    The Rivers NUP chief lamented that  retirees had been facing financial difficulties since 2004.

    He appealed to the relevant authorities to address the documentation matters of retirees from 2014 to date and ensure the commencement of payments to alleviate the sufferings of these senior citizens.

  • Reps want bailout for FG pensioners

    The House of Representatives has urged the
    Federal Government to intervene in the
    current crisis of unpaid pension arrears
    threatening the lives of Nigeria’s retired
    citizens.
    This was sequel to a motion by Rep.
    Toby okechukwu (Enugu-PDP) and six
    others.
    In the motion, Okechukwu noted that
    in annual budgetary appropriation, no
    provision was made for accrued
    benefits of pensioners under the
    Contributory Pension Scheme and
    Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS).
    He expressed concern that under the
    Contributory Pension Scheme, persons
    who retired since 2015 had not been
    paid their pensions.
    According to him, this is due to the
    failure of the Federal Government to
    contribute its statutory share of 15 per
    cent to the Pension Redemption Fund
    in line with the Pension Reform Act,
    2014, amounting to a total of N286
    billion.
    Okechukwu also expressed worry that
    pensioners under DBS, including Police,
    Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria
    Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons
    Service and Civil Service were yet to be
    paid 33 per cent accrued arrears of
    about N174 billion.
    “The delay in payment of pension
    arrears has resulted in dire situations
    where pensioners are wallowing in
    penury, sickness, hopelessness and
    regret for serving their fatherland
    diligently only to be abandoned by
    government upon retirement,” he said.
    The motion was unanimously adopted
    by members
    The house therefore urged the Federal
    Government to provide emergency
    bailout funds to pay outstanding
    workers’ salaries and pension arrears as
    a primary responsibility.
    .
    It also referred the motion to its
    Committee on Pensions for further
    inputs.

  • Pay our 38 years pensions, retired soldiers appeal to Buhari

    Pay our 38 years pensions, retired soldiers appeal to Buhari

    Over one thousand retired soldiers have appealed to President Muhamnadu Buhari to urgently approve the payment of their pensions, saying having served for more than 10 years during the civil war and beyond, they don’t deserve to die in penury.

    The appeal was made during an interview with newsmen by the Chairman of the 63NA Elders Association Volunteer Soldiers, retd. Lance Corporal Ajayi Peters.

    Peters with registration No 63NA113886 who spoke on behalf of other soldiers noted that “they are dying because for over 38 years there have been several promises to pay them their entitlement without fulfillment.”

    He further explained that they joined the military with sole intention to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria, adding that it was a total dehumanization and lack of human dignity for them to be languishing in poverty.

    “I must confess when we were enlisted there was no enlightenment. Our intention was to defend the nation but unfortunately, the army didn’t give any explanation. There was no special arrangement for majority of us. Many of us were illiterates.

    “We were enlisted in 1968 and we retired in 1979. Many of us served for not less than 10 years but while we were leaving they didn’t inform us to complete 15 years’ service as the rule required then.

    “When we were leaving in 1979, the army also promised to pay balance of 14 Pounds of our monthly salaries because they paid 5 Pounds in the battle front. Up till now the money was not refunded including the allowances for being at the war fronts.

    “If they had informed us to serve up to 15 years, we would have complied. Now we can’t fend for ourselves; we have taken several steps to get our benefits but we were told by a Major in charge of our case that it’s only Mr. President that can authorize the payments of our pensions,” he said.

    In a letter dated 30 June, 2015, Military Pensions Board (MPB) which was made available to journalists, the Board promised the retired soldiers that it would carry out investigation over nonpayment of their pensions, saying a feedback would be provided within shortest time.

    The letter which was titled ‘Re: We are dying, save our souls!’ and signed by General Manager, Public Sector Pensions, G.E. Usoro read in part, “We acknowledge receipt of your letter of 9 May, 2014 on the above subject.

    “The Commission wishes to inform you that your complaint has been forwarded to the Military Pensions Board (MPB) for investigation of the issues raised with a view to taking appropriate action to resolve them.

    “We would revert to you as soon as possible as we receive a feedback from MPB in this regard,” the letter read.