The Federal Government’s expenditure on pensions and gratuity fell slightly by N3.48bn in 2021. This is according to figures obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The CBN revealed in its data on ‘Federal Government recurrent expenditure’ that the amount spent fell from N359.6bn in 2020. Falling to N356.12bn in the 2021 financial year. However, despite yearly allocations, the federal retirees have continued to complain of payment challenges.
Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate of the Defined Benefits Scheme under the Federal Government, said it inherited pension liabilities totaling N129.48bn. During a capacity workshop, a presentation titled ‘Parastatals Pension Department’, say PTAD inherited an estimated amount of N32.77bn, N28.96bn, and N67.75bn. All owed pensioners of the Treasury Funded Parastatal, Ex-PHCN, and defunct agencies, respectively.
In a protest letter jointly signed by the Chairman, FCSP, Otunba Lawal, and State Secretary, Abiodun Michael. The retirees said, “Since September 2017 verification exercise, countless number of pensioners are yet to be on PTAD payroll till present.” They complained about the uncomfortable monthly pension paid to pensioners.
PTAD, reacting, said verified and qualified pensioners were on its payroll. And that any person in doubt should come with their documents to confirm otherwise.
The Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, held a meeting with the executive members. Which are members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Civil Service Pensioners Branch.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed that the affected pensioners will get informed of the directorate’s plan to place them on the rightful pension. This starting from the month of July 2022, while the modalities to recover the overpayment will work out in due course.
-Punch.
