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Our plight under CPS, NUP, by pensioner

Our plight under CPS, NUP, by pensioner


The Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) only attends to the needs of those in the old pension scheme under the management of Pension Transitional Directorate Department (PTAD).
 It has thus left pensioners of the new pension scheme under the management of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in the cold.

A pensioner, Gbadebo Olatokunbo, stated this in  article entitled: “NUP crocodile tears”.

According to him, the abandonment has led to the exodus of many Federal Government’s agencies from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

Olatokunbo, also a co-founder, the Nigerian Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA), said some of those who left the CPS are pensioners of the civil service, Military, Police, Custom and, recently, National Assembly.

He stated that since NUP catered only for her members in the old scheme under PTAD, contributory pensioners became an orphan.

He however, expressed satisfaction with President Bola Tinubu, who recently announced the implementation of the recent fuel subsidy removal palliatives to pensioners.

He recalled: “The challenges of CPS pensioners started when the scheme was introduced in 2007. The Federal Government did not include many benefits enjoyed then till date by pensioners under PTAD for pensioners under PenCom.

While the constitution says that Federal Government’s pensioners must enjoy the same privileges on welfare and salary adjustment, NUP that represented pensioners didn’t see CPS pensioners as their subject matter and, therefore, failed to carry us along.

“This has mostly contributed to the oversights and lapses of the Federal Government at the inception of the new scheme.

“We have written to government agencies on our issues, yet no solution despite that we  served the same government. Because while old scheme pensioners were enjoying some benefits, the new scheme pensioners were left in the desert.
The NUP member is on the Board of PenCom, but is only representing the interest of old pensioners under pretending that we do not exist. In the same vein, we wish to make it known that PenCom is aware of our challenges but seems reluctant to act because the PenCom Act does not empower it to do so.”

Noting the challenges, Olatokunbo said the issue of progression in the benefits of pensioners every five years as stated in the constitution (Section 173 (3)) has not been implemented since July 1, 2007, while pensioners with PTAD have been enjoying same benefit almost eight times till date.

Another issue, he said, is: “The contributory pensioners that choose the option of life annuity are being treated like an outcast. This started following a policy direction by PenCom that created fears in contributory pensioners and they had to look for cover under annuity in the insurance companies.

“Now that the issue of palliative to vulnerable contributory pensioners has suddenly woken up the NUP from its slumber, we hope that the government will not be deceived with the current activities of NUP as representatives of all pensioners in the country. We believe they are only interested in the palliative.

“Also, now that we have a listening government, contributory pensioners should appreciate them.’’

 while l appeal further that there were several anomalies in the new pension scheme of contributory pensioners that could not be left with PenCom without the Acts of the National Assembly to make it workable in the interest of the vulnerable contributory pensioners; while the helping hands of the NUP; despite their selfishness and other government agencies could should not be overlooked in achieving the objective.’’

Another pensioner, Elder Ladipo David, lamented that the removal of fuel subsidy and inflation have eroded their pension income, rendering them helpless.

He, however, commended President Tinubu, for being sympathetic to their plight.

“We, pensioners, appreciate the efforts of President Tinubu, particularly on salary increases that guarantees increased pension.

“President Tinubu has, in addition, said minimum wage must reflect reality. We are hopeful for the best under the administration.”

He charged PenCom Director-General, Mrs. Dahir-Umar, to continue to work on the shortcomings of the CPS to make it more attractive.

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