PenCom tackles Lagos Government, As Pensioners Plan Mega Protest Over Delayed Payment, Dailogue Meeting

By Andrew Ojiezel

National Pension Commission (PenCom) has weigh its big stick into the confrontation between retirees of Lagos State over payment of their entitlements.

Just as pensioners under Lagos State Government payroll are planning mega protest over the stylish delay in payment of their entitlements, and holding a dialogue meeting as promised by Mr Governor, PenCom has again intervened in order to close the gap between the state government and the pensioners.

Expressing the concern, PenCom re-emphasised pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Lagos State regarding the implementation of pension increases and wage awards.

Accordingly, PenCom said it recognised the importance of ensuring that retirees receive all benefits legitimately due to them and appreciates the concerns arising from delays in the implementation of any approved pension adjustments.

PenCom has engaged with the Lagos State Government and the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) on matters related to administering pensions under the CPS, including the need to extend appropriate pension adjustments to eligible CPS retirees.
Implementing pension enhancements involves determining eligibility, applicable adjustments, actuarial liability, funding, and providing relevant data and instructions to the pension operators. PenCom is engaging the relevant stakeholders to ensure that these processes are properly addressed.

PenCom will continue to work with the Lagos State Government, LASPEC, PFAs, and representatives of pensioners toward a transparent, orderly, and sustainable resolution of the issues.

PenCom remains committed to protecting the interests of pension contributors and retirees and will continue to exercise its regulatory and supervisory mandate to ensure compliance with applicable pension laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, a source within pensioners circle said they are planning mega protest anytime from now as the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has systematically avoided meeting with the pensioners despite his promised which he made with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos State Council.

It would be recalled that the Governor through the Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Ayinde, in meeting with the pensioners last week, made the pensioners to suspend their protest as he promised to have meeting with them on Thursday and Friday last week to resolve the issue, a promise which made them to call off their indefinite protest last week.