BY VICTOR        AHIUMA-YOUNG

LAGOS — PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has released N5.839 billion for the payment of accrued monthly pension arrears and gratuity to pensioners.

The money, totalling N5,839,955,854,59 was released through the Pension Reform Task Force which was appointed by the Head of Service under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.

President of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Alhaji Ali Abatcha, who disclosed this yesterday, said to ensure quick payment of the money, the Head of Service, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, had directed that the mandates of the payments be conveyed to Zenith Bank, by the Task Force, NUP leadership, a member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC.

The break down of the money includes second and third batches of complaints on pension payment which stands at N658,567,047,92; and N819,610, 905, 71 respectively.

It also includes the first batch of accrued monthly pension arrears and gratuity amounting N4,361,777,900.96, which has also been released for payment by the Task Force.

The NUP president said the union had worked closely with the Task Force and “we are glad to note that a vibrant complaint help desk that attends to pensioners within 48 hours has been established by the Task Force.”

He said this had helped to process the complaints of over 38,498 pensioners from January to March 2011.
Abatcha said this was achievable due to the leadership quality of President Jonathan, and how he nipped in the bud the alleged monumental fraudulent practices in the Head of Service Pension Office.

According, Alhaji Abatcha  said: “We also appreciate the fact that under the leadership and intervention of Mr. President, the monumental fraudulent practices in the Head of Service Pension Office has been stopped and the alleged perpetrators are being brought before the law. We are aware that his government has promised to do more for pensioners particularly in the payment of harmonised arrears of the 53% 2010 salary increase for Federal Government employers which we are eagerly awaiting.”

He called on all Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan, in order to ensure that all his laudable plans are brought to fruition and said they would continue to pray for President Jonathan in all his endeavours so that his good work could continue in the country.

Alhaji Abatcha said: “We members of NUP deeply appreciate the good efforts made under the leadership of His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and we will continue to pray for his success in all his endeavours so that this good work can continue in our nation. We seek the support of all Nigerians to ensure that these laudable plans are brought to fruition.

We are also grateful that through the transparent leadership of our President, the head of service and proactive approach to issues by the Chairman of the Pension Reform Force, additional 34,158 retirees. Who have been neglected in the past, have now been enrolled and placed on the pension payroll. Some of these pensioners retired more than 35 years ago.

The payment of the 2003 and 2007 arrears of the harmonised salary increase which was computed by the Task Force and paid to us towards the end of 2010 and early part of 2011 have gone a long way to alleviate the suffering of our members.”