Pensioners under the aegis of Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN), have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sponsor an Executive Bill that will make payment of pensions a first line charge in the annual budgets.
The pensioners said the appeal was based on what they called the “monumental sanity being witnessed and the unprecedented fraud – the free pension regime of his administration may suffer a setback if the next President, unfortunately, treats pension payment as a lesser priority.”
They urged President Buhari to immortalize himself in the hearts and lives of Nigerian pensioners and their families by constitutionalizing pension payment as a first-line charge before he exits office next year.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting by its President General, General Secretary, and National Public Relations Officer, Chief (Dr.) Tempe Ubani; Mr. Franklin Enrile, and Mr. Jonathan Iyoo, the pensioners hailed President Buhari for making their welfare a top priority and ensuring regular approval of funds for a monthly payment of Federal Pensioners’ pensions.
The communiqué reads: “NEC also salutes the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, for regular and prompt release of funds for a monthly payment of our members’ pensions. NEC in-session equally acknowledged Dr. Mrs. Chioma Nnenna Ejikeme, the Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), for her proactive, diligent and expeditious payment of the monthly pensions and some other outstanding retirement benefits of Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) pensioners when funds are released.
“FEPPPAN NEC in-session noted with grave concerns PTAD’S protracted delays to obey and failure to implement the provisions of the Trade Unions Act, Regarding the Automatic Deduction at Source, of Check off Dues from our members and Remit to FEPPPAN, as a registered and re-organized Trade Union.
“The NEC in session noted that even though the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment had repeatedly advised PTAD according, the Directorate is yet to act accordingly.”
