NUP commends FG`s pension payment efforts

The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commended the present administration for its determination to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian pensioners.   The union in a statement signed by its  National President, Dr Abel Afolayan and  General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal  commended PTAD for the payment of six  months out of the remaining 18 months arrears […]

The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commended the present administration for its determination to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian pensioners. 

 The union in a statement signed by its  National President, Dr Abel Afolayan and  General Secretary, Elder Actor Zal  commended PTAD for the payment of six  months out of the remaining 18 months arrears of the 33% pension increase to civil pensioners all over the country, six months to all Federal Parastatals pensioners and 12 months to the police pensioners out of the outstanding 30 months.

The union expressed optimism that the remaining balance of 18 months would be paid in earnest.

The statement reads in part: “The union is also grateful to PTAD and its staff for organising 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 organised at  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.”

It  appealed  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), saying  the last review of pension was in July 2010.

“Therefore, we demand that pension should be reviewed immediately in line with the provision of the 1999 constitution.

“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,” it said.