By VICTOR  AHIUMA-YOUNG

NATIONAL Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has heaped curses on individuals and groups directly or indirectly inflicting hardships and pains on the nation’s pensioners.

The union spoke through its General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu, while commending the Senate for its stance that the embattled former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, Abdulrasheed Maina, accused of complicity in the illegal diversion of billions of pension funds meant for pensioners in the country, was brought to face to answer questions.

NUTGTWN argued that by insisting that Maina be made accountable for his alleged deeds, Nigeria’s legislature had proven to a useful organ of public opinion as well as the nation’s committee for handling public grievances.

Pension liabilities

Aremu, a Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, said President Goodluck Jonathan, had the responsibility to safeguard the nation’s assets as well as pay the huge pension liabilities of millions of pensioners in the public sector.

According to him; “By rightly insisting that Maina be made accountable for his deeds, Nigeria’s legislature has proven to be a “useful organ” of public opinion as well as ‘the nation’s committee’ for handling public grievances. Activist constant legislative check on the Executive impunity has truly made Nigeria’s democratic process come of age.”

“The insistence of 107 senators on police enforcement of the warrant of arrest on the renegade Assistant Director shows that there is no hiding place for scavengers of the nation’s pension assets. Woes unto all those who criminally inflict pains and agony on retired working men and women by looting their legitimate claims. President Goodluck Jonathan has the responsibility to safeguard the nation’s assets as well as pay the huge pension liabilities of millions of pensioners in the public sector.

To this extent, the President must strengthen and support institutions that safeguard the interests of pensioners such as the Senate and its relevant committees and most importantly National Pension Commission, PenCom.

The presidency must not provide sanctuary for some individuals accused of criminally diverting pension funds and undermining the pension market.”

“The critical issue is how many pensioners in the relevant public sector institutions have been paid their pensions and gratuities? Who is responsible for non-payments?

The president must strengthen the new contributory pension scheme by protecting it against invaders looking for funds for other purposes rather than payment of retirees. Let no one touch or divert pension asset from its legally sanctioned objectives and whoever does must be brought to justice.”