Military begins new pensions scheme
From Madu Onuorah, Abuja
AS a lasting solution to the problem of non-payment of military pensioners, the Nigerian Armed Forces have started the implementation of the newly introduced contributory Pensions Scheme.
Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Roland Oritsejafor, who said this added that the ministry would require N15.4 billion to pay the seven-month arrears, owed military pensioners.
The arrears spanned the period from June to December 2003. The Military Pensions Board has paid pensions for this year in full up till last month.
Oritsejafor said that unlike what is obtainable where employers contribute 7.5 per cent while the employees contribute 7.5 per cent deductible at source, military personnel would contribute only 2.5 per cent while government would contribute the remaining 12.5 per cent.
This special contribution from the Federal Government to the military he added "is in recognition of what the military is doing for Nigeria.
��The present administration is committed to making life more meaningful for both military and civilian retirees. This informed the current contributory Pensions Scheme, which would enable retirees settle down with something meaningful immediately on leaving service.
��It is gratifying and encouraging to note that the Federal Government is contributing more than it should on behalf of the military in this new Pensions Scheme.��
In order to get another tab on the actual number of pensioners, Oritsejafor stated that the ministry was organising a fresh "verification and authentication exercise this year, very likely after the rain must have subsided.
There are for now 97,000 pensioners under the payroll of the pensions board. The board needs a monthly pension bill of N2.2 billion.
Stressing why there is crisis in the payment of pensions, the minister stated: ��when this administration came in, we reviewed pensions of military as part of welfare for personnel. Pension was increased astronomically. Some people wanted to take advantage of the situation. You then found all kinds of rackets and schemes. So, there were delays in trying to block the leakages.
��We are aware that some elements are still keen on taking advantage of these pensions. We must continue to check and crosscheck. Prayerfully, we are hoping for a supplementary budget,�� he added.
He also said that some ghost pensioners caught in the previous verification exercises are currently undergoing prosecution.
