MEMBERS of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) visited President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday; with a demand on him to place pension on First Line Charge for sustainable payment of pensions and gratuities.
The pensioners, led by the NUP Acting National President, Comrade Musa Dallatu, commended President Buhari for extra efforts and what he had done for them since he became the President, telling him that he had transformed their lives for better.
Presenting the position of NUP, Comrade Dallatu said: “We are very delighted for this opportunity today as it presents us with a golden avenue to say thank you for your giant strides since you assumed office in May 2015. Your achievements which are too numerous to highlight here touch on so many strata of Nigerian lives, especially as it affects the pensioners in Nigeria, and we are bold to say without fear or favour that you have made our lives better than you met it in so many areas which among others include; regular payment of monthly pensions, it is an incontestable fact that since the advent of this government under your able leadership payment of monthly pensions has been more regular than ever.
“In fact, if the truth must be told, Mr President Sir, we have never had it so good. We therefore pray and earnestly appeal to Your Excellency to place pension on the first line charge for sustainable payment of pensions and gratuities.”
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He added: “Our members are full of joy and praises for your listening and God-fearing disposition for the following pension payments that have transformed their lives for better.”
The NUP acting president listed these to include Payment of backlog of pension arrears of 33% to Federal Civil Service Pensioners with its attendant arrears to the Police; the Para-Military, Parastatals and Universities.
He also commended the release of N54 billion accrued rights for contributory pensioners, the release of N22.4 billion for the payment of ex-Nigeria Airways pensioners who have suffered untold hardship for over 9 years and the approval of the restoration of monthly pensions to Delta Steel Company Pensioners, Ntel/Mtel, Biafra Police (the War Veterans). Federal Housing Authorities etc.
The pensioners, however, demanded for more, saying, “Mr President, we feel obliged to appreciate you and come around to thank you because we want more from you, and we know you will sure|y do more for Nigeria pensioners.”
He expressed the belief that when brought to his attention he would act “as you have always done in your usual characteristics.”
Their demands include: 5% counterpart funding for the payment of local government pensioners and retired primary school teachers which was arbitrarily stopped in 2010; National Policy on Pension Parity to bridge the gap between the old and new pensioners who retired on the same grade level and step, otherwise known as harmonisation.
Others include: Payment of outstanding pension arrears, gratuities and death benefIts that have accumulated over the years; and National Policy on Social Security on Health and Other Related Matters for the elderly, especially in the heath sector as done to Nigerian workers under the NHIS scheme.
He said: “Mr President, the issue of National Minimum Pension for pensioners in tandem with the National Minimum Wage for Workers. It is disheartening sir, that as at today, some pensioners still receive as low as N2, 000 per month in many states of the Federation and even in some Federal Government establishment, owing to non-implementation of the harmonisation circular as mentioned earlier.
“This is highly dehumanising. We have submitted our proposal together with the NLC Joint Negotiation Committee on Salaries and Wages Review Committee, and our prayer is that whatever is agreed finally as the minimum wage for workers should equally be adopted as the minimum pension for pensioners.”
While responding, especially on the requests by the pensioners, including the implementation of the National Policy on Pension Parity and the National Policy on Social Security on Health and Other Related Matters of the Elderly, the President promised to do all within his powers to address them, subject to the availability of funds.
President Buhari said his administration has put a stop to the dehumanization of federal pensioners by ensuring they were paid their entitlements and backlog of arrears as at when due.
President Buhari declared that the welfare of pensioners had remained a priority for his administration since May 2015, noting that the retirees deserve timely payment of their emoluments, recognition, and respect for their work and dedication to the country during their active working years.
‘‘In recent times pensioners were ignored, neglected and even persecuted. We have put a stop to that. As you yourselves have confirmed today, we have begun regular payment of monthly pensions and payment of backlog of arrears.
‘‘The Federal Government released N45 billion accrued rights for the contributory pension scheme and N22.4 billion to start payment of ex-Nigeria Airways pensioners,’’ he said.
and then