By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

ABUJA-NIGERIA Union of Pensioners, NUP,  has appealed to the Federal Government to implement the five year review of pension which was due since 2015 in line with the provision of the constitution.

The union in a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Abel Afolayan and the General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal, also 

commended the Federal Government for the payment of six months out of the remaining 18 months arrears.

The statement further appealed to the Federal Government to pay the remaining balance of the 33 per cent increase before Christmas so that its members can celebrate a memorable Christmas.

The union appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, the Chairman Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service,Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Chairman, House Committee on Pension, Hon. Jonbull Shekarau and the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor for their determination to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian Pensioners.

The pensioners said, “The Union is eternally grateful to PTAD for the payment of 6 months out of the remaining 18 months arrears of the 33% pension increase to Civil Pensioners all over the country, 6 months to all Federal Parastatals Pensioners and 12 months to the Police Pensioners out of the outstanding 30 months.  

“We strongly believe that the remaining balance of 18 months would be paid in earnest.

“The union is also grateful to PTAD and its staff for organizing one of the most successful verification exercises in the history of Nigerian Pensioners and Pension Industry nationwide, that pensioners across the length and breadth of Nigeria participated in the nationwide exercise without any hitch nor casualty.  

“The programme was well organized at very good and spacious centres in all the State Capitals across Nigeria and now we can boastfully say that Nigeria Pensioners now have a data base and the era of ghost pensioners on the payroll is now a thing of the past.

“However, the Union appeals to the Federal Government to ensure the implementation of the 5-yearly pension review which has been due since July 2015 in line with 1999 constitution, Section 173(3).  

“The last review of pension was in July 2010, almost 8 years ago.  Therefore, we demand that pension should be reviewed immediately in line with the provision of the 1999 constitution.

“Finally, we appeal that the Federal Government should pay the remaining balance of the 33% increase before Christmas so that our people can have a happy and memorable Christmas celebration.”