NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY RETIREES PROTEST NON PAYMENT OF 15 MONTHS GRATUITY

They also recalled that, this suggestion was also made by a discussant from Pencom on a National Television Programme late last year, arguing that pensioners are not expected to live a lamenting life in retirement

‘Afterall, verification exercises take place, one year before pensioners go on retirement. This period is long enough for proper and effective planning. Another point of concern to us as contributory pensioners of the Federal Government is the non-payment of 33% and 15% to us’

Da-Silva added,”this is being paid to Federal Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).The issue had been lingering on for over 4 years now. When the Federal Government released N54.1b to Pencom a couple of months ago, the impression given was that the released fund was specifically for payment of the salary arrears of 33% and 15%’

The protesters recalled that, the beneficiaries and their dependants heaved a sigh of relief, but the joy was short-lived, as the money released was used by Pencom in paying outstanding gratuity and monthly pension arrears of pensioners who have not received a dime after retirement.

‘We hereby call for immediate settlement of the arrears due to us, which according to Pencom had already been captured in 2018 approved budget. The Federal Government should not make such payment less worthy and meaningful to beneficiaries

On the impending general salary review, the protesters appealed to government at all levels, to carry the Nigerian Pensioners along, stressing that they do not need to struggle over this, as the senior citizens of the country