Retirees in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States have lamented the delays within the fee of their pension at the same time as they appealed to the Federal Authorities to take away the bureaucratic bottlenecks that trigger the delays affecting retired civil servants throughout Nigeria.
In a survey carried out by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN), retirees expressed frustration over the lengthy wait for his or her pensions, with some ready for as much as two years post-retirement.
Many retirees reported receiving solely partial lump sum funds—50% or 25%—after a number of years of ready, regardless of constant pension contributions throughout their service.
Mr. Julius Okafor, who retired in 2022, shared his struggles, stating that he has but to obtain his gratuity or month-to-month pension.
“I’ve submitted all the required paperwork however my pension administrator is but to pay me. My associates and family members had been those supporting me and it’s painful that senior residents like us are handled like this,” he lamented.
In Ebonyi, some stakeholders in Abakaliki, have known as for the necessity to overhaul the Nationwide Pension Fee (PENCOM) to successfully enhance the contributory scheme and overcome delayed funds of advantages to retirees within the nation.
Dr Mathew Odono, Retired Director of the Nationwide Orientation Company (NOA), Ebonyi Workplace, stated that the state of affairs of getting the fee was worrisome.
Odono, who retired in March 2024, stated he was but to get both the gratuity or the month-to-month pension.
“It’s a worrisome state of affairs, I retired in March 2024 and as I’m speaking to you, I’ve by no means gotten a kobo. We utilized in the course of the interval of retirement however up until at the moment, we’ve but to get one thing.
“The federal authorities ought to look into this situation and overhaul the entire processes, particularly the PENCOM to be able to save the retirees,” the previous Director stated.
Zonal Coordinator of Leadway Pension Administrator, Dr. Arinze Udechukwu, attributed the delays to the federal government’s sluggish remittance of pension funds to directors.
Ezema careworn that well timed pension funds would stop retirees from enduring undue hardship and struggling, declaring that many retirees face critical monetary difficulties—and even loss of life—whereas ready for his or her entitlements.
