The Federal Government, on Friday announced plans to begin the implementation of the minimum wage for pensioners in the country.
This is coming on the heels of the presidential approval for the implementation of the consequential adjustment to the pension benefits occasioned by the new Minimum Wage Act of 2019 signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikwe.
Ejikwe who addressed a press briefing in Abuja, disclosed that the new pension to retirees would commence in May.
This is also coming after the members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) threatened to embark on a nationwide protest over the failure of the government to increase their pension.
Ejikwe also gave assurance that with the approval of the FG, PTAD would commence the upward adjustment of all pensioners’ benefits in compliance with approved template.
The PTAD Boss also announced that the pensioners would receive their arrears, with effect from April 2019, when the minimum wage act was signed into law.
She also urged the NUP to desist from embarking on the planned strike, stating that the implementation of the new wages is already at the conclusive stage.
She also assured that the PTAD will continue to work hard to improve the quality of the lives of the senior citizens.
Ejikeme, however, warned that the payment of the new pension benefits would be done as a responsibility of the government and no form of gratification would be requested.
She asked the pensioners to report anyone requesting gratification before their benefits would be paid.
Her words, “It is my immense pleasure to interact with you and brief you this morning. The Presidential approval for the implementation of the consequential adjustment to the pension benefits occasioned by the new minimum wage of 2019 has been granted and the circular released.
“With this approval, PTAD is now empowered to start the upward adjustment of all pensioners’ benefits according to the approved template.
“The consequential adjustment of the new pension payment will start from the May 2021 payroll. The arrears will take effect from April 2019. PTAD will also commence payment of the arrears from May 2021.
“It will be recalled that on the 22nd of April, 2021, I issued a Press Release to inform the general public of the sincerity of Mr. President to implement the consequential adjustment on the pension benefits.
“I made it emphatically clear that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has no reason to go on any protest because the matter was at the conclusive stage.
“As a responsible Agency of government saddled with the mandate of overseeing the payment of pension benefits to pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme and taking care of their welfare, we are encouraged to do more for our pensioners. We will continue to strive to improve the quality of their lives.
“Let me at this point inform and caution our senior citizens once again, that PTAD will not request any gratification from anybody before the money will be paid into their account.
“They should not give their account details to anybody. They should report any scammer or anyone requesting gratification before their benefits would be paid to PTAD.
“I repeat, do not give money to anybody. We have concluded arrangements to send SMS to all pensioners informing them of the payment and to caution them on the activities of pension scammers.
“We continue to appeal to pension Unions to continue to partner and cooperate with the Directorate in our bid to provide better services to our Senior Citizens.”
“The labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain,” she added.
