Executive secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate Chioma Ejikeme says the directorate has begun moves to actualise the harmonisation of pensions of all federal retirees, particularly those under the Defined Benefit Scheme. She also pledged to work for either the increment of their pensions as part of her commitment to ensuring the welfare of the pensioners.
The PTAD boss also disclosed that PTAD has given its payroll to the Ministry of Humanitarian Services and Poverty Alleviation for payment of palliatives to retirees under the fuel subsidy removal scheme of the federal government. “I have put in place the process to meet with the minister of Humanitarian Services and Poverty Alleviation to know exactly how the pensioners will get their palliatives,” she said.
Dr Ejikeme made the remarks yesterday when she played host to a delegation from the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria in her Abuja office. She said the commitment is to ensure the welfare of the Nigerian defined benefit pensioners. “Our mission is to make sure that everybody is well taken care of. We will consolidate on whatever gains we have made since the last 10 years of the existence of PTAD.”
She disclosed that she has agreed with the Salaries and Wages Commission to revive the memo that was sent to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation under the MuhammaduBuhari-led administration for harmonization of pensions. She promised to follow up with the memo for possible approval by the government. “It is a memo that is desirable, important and needed,” she said, adding, “In terms of the harmonisation, please, bear with us. And I will let you people know what the outcome is.”
Ejikeme assured the pensioners of the increment of their pensions by next year when pensions will be due for an upward review. While that is in the works, she also urged them to be hopeful for a possible increment in the general minimum wage of public workers, a development she said would result in consequential adjustments in their pensions.
She promised to present their demands – harmonisation, increment for pensioners and the modalities for disbursement of palliatives for fuel subsidy removal – to the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Wale Edun.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Services and Poverty Alleviation had reportedly directed the pensioners to go and get their palliatives from PTAD, a situation Ejikeme said needs to be properly situated to avoid prevarication. “Well, as of yesterday and up till this morning, I have not been told that there is any money that has been brought to PTAD for the payment of palliatives. There is no instruction to us concerning palliatives.”
Earlier, acting president of the association AIG, Paul Ochonu (rtd) who led the delegation to PTAD said the members came to felicitate with her on her reappointment as head of the pension watchdog while wishing her “a very fulfilling second term in office as you continue to render rewarding services to retirees.”
They also used the opportunity to make some demands on the executive secretary including a request for harmonisation of all federal pensions and to be captured in the disbursement of palliatives. They raised concerns over the failure of the government to meet their expectations.
“We therefore, at this juncture, implore you, at this your second and final coming, to collaborate with the Chairman, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to actualise this dream of all the federal government pensioners who are getting impoverished with each passing day,” Ochonusaid.
