Struggling pensioners urge Abuja to improve their welfare
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Retirees on the platform of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS) have implored Abuja to improve their welfare to enable them survive the growing harsh economic conditions.
They also sought upgrading of the welfare of workers for the same reason.
NUPCPS Secretary Bisan John made the pleas at the 8th Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE), where he insisted the government cannot grow the economy without satisfying the yearnings of both pensioners and workers.
He noted “the federal government has been struggling with getting the economy to work, but one thing that is clear is that the people are the ones that will contribute mainly to meet such a reality.
“The government must first think of the workers, improve their welfare so they can then contribute their quota adequately to the economy. It should be the people before the economy.
“Government should think of how to build the operators of the economy and also improve the life of pensioners.”
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Failure to pay group life insurance claims
John said the government has failed for more than three years to pay group life insurance claims to the next of kin of deceased civil servants as stipulated in the Pension Reform Act 2014, and funds for pensioners are trapped in failed insurance companies, per reporting by Vanguard.
He urged the government to provide better opportunities for pensioners because their welfare should not just end at the level of being paid their stipends.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Lagos Chapter Chairman Funmi Sessi lamented pensioners are still far from having their deserved rest, and there is need for them to ger their benefits, rest, and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
