President Goodluck Jonathan has released a whopping sum of N5.839 billion for the payment of pension, as well as accrued pension arrears and gratuity.The money totalling N5, 839, 955, 854, 59 was released through the Pension Reform Task Force appointed by the head of service.The national president of Nigeria Union of pensioners, Alhaji Ali Abacha, who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, stated that in order to ensure quick payment of the money, the Head of Service, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, had directed that the mandates of the payment be conveyed to Zenith Bank, by the task force, NUP leadership and a member of the EFCC and ICPC.The NUP president said the union had worked closely with the task force and we are glad to note that a vibrant complaint help-desk that attends to pensioners within 48 hours has been established by the task force.He stated that this had helped to process the complaints of over 38, 498 pensioners from January to March 2011.Alhaji Abacha said this was achievable due to the leadership quality of President Jonathan, and because he nipped in the bud the monumental fraudulent practices in the Head of Service Pension Office.The NUP president said: We also appreciate the fact that under the leadership and intervention of Mr. President, the monumental fraudulent practices in the Head of Service Pension Office has been stopped and the alleged perpetrators are being brought before the law.We are aware that his government has promised to do more for pensioners particularly in the payment of harmonised arrears of the 53% 2010 salary increase for Federal Government employers which we are eagerly awaiting.The pensioners therefore called on all Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan, in order to ensure that all his laudable plans are brought to fruition.The union said they will continue to pray for President Jonathan in all his endeavours so that his good work can continue in the country.Alhaji Abacha said: We members of NUP deeply appreciate the good efforts made under the leadership of His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and we will continue to pray for his success in all his endeavours so that this good work can continue in our nation. We seek the support of all Nigerians to ensure that these laudable plans are brought to fruition.He added: We are also grateful that through the transparent leadership of our President, the head of service and proactive approach to issues by the Chairman of the Pension Reform Force, additional 34,158 retirees. Who have been neglected in the past, have now been enrolled and placed on the pension payroll. Some of these pensioners retired more than 35 years ago.The payment of the 2003 and 2007 arrears of the harmonised salary increase which was computed by the Task Force and paid to us towards the end of 2010 and early part of 2011 have gone a long way to alleviate the suffering of our members.
Click here to read full news..
