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By Henry Uche
The leadership of pensioners under the aegis of Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme (NUPCPS) has urged the government to improve the welfare of pensioners and workers.
Speaking at the 8th Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE), with the theme: “Role of Insurance and Pension In Building Sustainable Economic Growth Under The New Government,” in Lagos, the secretary of the union, Bisan John, said the pension arrangement by the government is still a far cry from being favourable to retirees.
He said there was no way government could successfully tackle the ailing economy without adequately satisfying the yearnings of both pensioners and those currently in service.
“The Federal Government has been struggling with the ailing economy, but one thing is clear- it’s the people that will contribute to make such a reality.
“Government must first think of the workers, improve their welfare, so they can then contribute their quota adequately to the economy. People come first before the economy. They should build the operators of the economy and also improve the life of pensioners,” he said.
Recalling the failure of government to pay group life insurance claims to next of kin of deceased civil servants, he lamented over the perceived conflicts in annuity under failed insurance companies, saying that retirees’ welfare should not just end at the level of being paid their stipends.
Similarly, a member of NUPCPS, Olagbayo Johnson, said it is unfortunate that the current Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) appears to be failing. Analysing the purpose of the scheme, he said it is the failure of the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), funded by government, that compelled the FG to visit Chile to do a check on how the contributory scheme worked.
Since inception in 2004, the scheme, he maintained has shown little or no difference from the old scheme apart from the fact that employees and employers now contribute towards the pool of funds, hence why individuals and institutions have been agitating to pull out.
“The National Assembly workers are agitating to pull out of CPS. The military has long left and even the police are on the verge of pulling out. Why is ours different while Chile’s is still working?” he queried.
On her part, the chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos Chapter, Funmi Sessi, said that Nigerian pensioners are still far from having the deserved rest, adding that there is need for them to enjoy the fruit of their labour.
She condemned the poor approach by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the difficult process in accessing benefits by relatives of deceased workers, stressing that the request for a letter of administration and other documents should be made easier.
Moreover, the Local Chapter Chairman, Nigeria Association for the Blind, Ifako Ijaiye Chapter, Anuoluwa Yinka Isaac, plaintively asserted that Nigerian pension and insurance system does not have special products for the physically challenged persons in the society.
He bemoaned they were left out in so many arrangements in the country, stressing that on so many occasions they had gone out of their way to live in the society that is almost hostile and unresponsive to their plight. “Government across levels must incorporate us in all policies and programs, we are citizens like others” he implored.
