Pension: We may deduct allowances at source if…―FCT minister

MINISTER of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Tuesday, declared that the FCT administration might be compelled to make deductions at source from the allocations of the Area Councils, if it was proven that they actually spent the pension deductions made from the salaries of FCT Primary School Teachers on other items.

According to him, “I believe our Area Council Service Commission and office of the Auditor General, Area Councils are looking at some of these things. We will look at it and make sure that if the deductions have been made at the point of payment of salary, then we want to know where the money is. If by any chance the Area Councils used the money for their own expenses, we will set up a team then we identify and whatever is due to be remitted, we will make sure that it is removed at source so that it is remitted and the accounts will be balanced”.

Malam Bello, who made this declaration when the Standing Committee of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, paid him a visit in Abuja, therefore, promised to resolve issues of non-remittance of pension deductions made from the salaries of FCT Primary School Teachers by the Area Councils.

Apparently responding to the requests by the teachers to look into their welfare, including several months of unremitted pension deductions made from their salaries, the minister said every necessary steps would be taken to ensure that the funds were paid into their Pensions Fund Account.

He explained that the policy of the FCT administration was that all pension deductions made from workers’ salaries must be invested into their pension account without delay.

“We have made a lot of progress trying to make sure that for each deduction made, immediately the deductions are remitted to the PFA account because the whole idea of the PFA account is for money to be invested in each person’s account.

“So, if you just keep the money and you don’t post it, it is unfair to the staff. But I will check and see what the issues are”, he assured.

The minister then commended the FCT school teachers for their level of commitment to education in the territory, saying the successes attained by students in FCT schools was a reflection of the quality of education that they have been receiving.

Earlier, the Chairman of FCT NUT Standing Committee Comrade, Stephen Knabayi, appreciated the minister for the prompt payment of salaries of teachers in the area.

“As we speak to you now, we have received our August salary. We want to say thank you”, he added.

Knabayi therefore appealed to the minister to look into the issue of promotion of teachers to boost their morale.