Open letter to Yar’adua on military pensioners’ plight
One may not be able to start enumerating them in this brief write-up for lack of space and time, but I must say that one spectacular step that Mr. President took that really jolted this writer was the God-fearing manner with which you disposed of the lingering eye-sore of the menace that constituted the presence […]
One may not be able to start enumerating them in this brief write-up for lack of space and time, but I must say that one spectacular step that Mr. President took that really jolted this writer was the God-fearing manner with which you disposed of the lingering eye-sore of the menace that constituted the presence of supposedly discharged soldiers that literally littered the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, particularly the surroundings of the International Conference Centre, the Old Parade Ground, the Agura Hotel precincts’, all in Area 10 and the Wuse axis of the Military Pensions Board, MPB.
To paint a vivid picture of the action your government took, we need to reflect first and quickly too, on how your predecessor and a retired four-star General had earlier handled the situation. It is a well known fact that when the unsightly presence of the discharged-soldiers-turned destitute became a national embarrassment and disgrace, the law enforcement agents (Mopol) was directed and ordered to forcefully eject them from the FCT, perhaps, to know destination in particular without addressing or at least ameliorating their plight. A simple verification exercise to ascertain their claims would have done the magic.
As was expected, the discharged soldiers returned in droves to where they perched before their forceful ejection because their grievance had not been addressed. And in no time, the FCT was once again inundated with the unsightly presence of the supposed discharged soldiers who virtually became destitute and beggars in their fatherland after honouring the call to give service and defend their fatherland at a time of urgent need.
I have it on good authority that when your administration came to office, Mr President in one of his meetings with the Security and Service Chiefs showed his (Mr President’s) concern and dismay at the unsightly and embarrassing presence of fellow citizens on the streets of Abuja and consequently Mr President directed that the soldiers should be screened and verified and those who have genuine evidence of military service, should be given their entitlements and those that are pensionable should be placed on monthly pension, even if on pro-rata basis.
Sir, it is merely repeating the obvious that that singular pronouncement of yours, went a very long way in ameliorating a hitherto seemingly insoluble problem. Today, I am very much aware that the streets of Abuja are devoid of ex-servicemen destitute, having sifted the grain of genuine servicemen from the chaff. And thus, Caesar has been given his due.
Mr President, Sir, I may not have gotten the consent of these loyal, patriotic and selfless Nigerians to say a big thank you to you and your God- fearing administration, I know that in spirit, they and their families and indeed, a grateful nation, will continue to pray for your good health, abundance of wisdom for you as’ endowed in King Solomon, above all, the fear of God at all times in the Herculean task of administering our great nation, Nigeria.
Sir, we are oliver twist and will not stop knocking at your preyidential oak door until our entitlements and benefits of outstanding harmonization and arrears accruing are given to us as disciplined officers and soldiers who ga ve a better part of our precious lives in the service of nigeria, we may not take to the street in protest; we will use the medium of good coma1unication to appeal to the inner conscience of mr. president to address this problem of lingering harmoniza110n of our monthly pensions.
It is a well known fact that constitutionally, pension review is stipulated for every five years’ interval. Permit me to state, sir, that some of us have been stagnated on one pension scale for upward of ten to fifteen years and in some other cases more than fifteen years as we write, references abound. We are not contesting the issue, it is a very passionate appeal that we are making.
We are aware that the financial burden before your administration is enormous and there are lots of contending financial issues. We are not oblivious of this, it is just that we are somehow helpless and overwhelmed by our current financial burden. Take-home pay is stagnated and inflation is spiraling – in the markets, on rents and other sundry human endeavours. It is a statement of fact that some of us have died waiting their entitlements and this enhancement.
Mr President may wish to note that a 12.5 percent and a 15 percent increase in 1999 and 2003, respectively, are both outstanding arid a very long string of arrears accruing thereof. And for as long as these arrears are kept in abeyance, perhaps for the enormity of the amount involved, for so long will it continue to heap and rise. Mr President Sir, we are on our knees virtually pleading and begging. Hearken to our cry and call, please.
We are sick and tired of unfounded rumour of its entry in the year’s budget or supplementary budget. Give your conscience and ears to our call and cry. Our children have stopped going to school not necessarily because of the present ASUU/Government tangle but because of the lack of the funds to meet their pecuniary needs.
Finally, considering the patriotic and nationalist contribution of the ex-servicemen’s contribution to the continued existence of one Nigeria, if for lack of funds the outstanding arrears cannot be paid immediately, we will appreciate it immensely if the new entitlements are worked out and pensioners are placed on the new scale as provided in the harmonized new pay chart.
We are eagerly looking forward to your early and favourable response. Your subjects are suffering and some of the less endowed ones are crippled and even dying. God save our souls.
P. S. Abara, Maj (rtd) 08033108810