Abuja- The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has urged the Federal Government to urgently release funds to enhance speedy completion of the verification of its members across the country.
Dr Abel Afolayan, the National President of NUP, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a news briefing on the plight of pensioners in the country.
He said the commitment of the Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to ameliorate the plight of pensioners had been hampered due to the lack of funds over the years.
“We see PTAD as a government agency willing to assist pensioners in ameliorating their sufferings but government needs to provide the necessary funds for the agency.
“The fund is to complete the ongoing verification and payment of arrears due to genuine and cleared pensioners.”
The NUP president said the verification had yet to be completed in four of the six geopolitical zones in the country.
According to him, PTAD has insisted that it must complete verification in all the zones and states for payment of outstanding arrears to be feasible.
Afolayan, therefore, appealed to the government to expedite action on the release of the needed funds to ensure speedy completion of the exercise.
The president expressed dismay over the plight of pensioners from Delta Steel Company (DSC) that was closed down by the government without payment of retirement benefits to the affected retirees.
“The Bureau of PUblic Eenterprises (BPE) and DSC management computed an actuarial valuation accruing to the entire ex-members of staff to the tune of N11.7 billion of which 30 per cent was paid in 2007 and later 15 per cent.
“The remaining balance of 55 per cent is yet to be paid and it will be appreciated if these pensioners can be paid without subjecting them to further agony,” he said.