The management of Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has pleaded with the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) to shelve the planned protest at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, tomorrow April 23
The NUP at its 11th quadrennial Delegate Conference resolved to go on protest due to the delay in the implementation of the consequential adjustment to the pension benefits occasioned by the recently approved minimum wage.
PTAD stated that “As a responsible agency of government saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the payment of pension benefits to pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme and their welfare, we are encouraged to appeal to our respected Pensioners that there is no justification for the protest after the meeting with PTAD Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme.”
The Directorate said it held a meeting with the National Executives of the NUP led by Dr. Abel Afolayan on the March 16, 2021 where the issue of the implementation of the pension adjustment was openly discussed and that the union gave their understanding. PTAD restated that the EXCO of NUP were told at the meeting that the implementation is most likely to commence at the end of April, 2021, going by the submissions that had been made by all stakeholders.
“However, there has been a little delay due to unforeseen circumstances, but we believe the implementation can still start as early as May 2021,” PTAD explained.
“Our senior citizens have nothing to fear because we have a President that has demonstrated greater commitment to the welfare of our pensioners through PTAD more than any other President we have had in the past. Therefore, the issue of implementation will not be different. The matter is very important to the President.
“We know the pensioners have waited enough, although the issue of the Covid-19 played a significant role in the delay, we wish to encourage our Senior Citizens to trust that the consequential adjustment will be made without further delay. There is no reason for this protest,” PTAD urged the pensioners.
