By Bennett Oghifo
The nation’s pensioners are to earn new minimum wage, following an approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, who informed journalists of this development yesterday, stated that “The arrears from April 2019 will be paid along with the pensioners’ monthly benefit starting from May 2021 payroll.”
She said the upward adjustment of the pensioners’ benefits would be done through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), as promised in a statement issued on March 22.
“I emphasise that the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has no reason to go on protest because the matter has been finalized,” she said.
According to her, “True to that statement, we are here today to confirm that the consequential adjustment will be implemented from May 2021 payroll.
“As a responsible agency of government saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the payment of pension benefits to pensioners under the DBS and their welfare, we are encouraged to do more for our pensioners.
“And we will continue to strive to improve the quality of their lives.
“We have concluded arrangements to send SMS to all pensioners, informing them of the payment and to caution them on the activities of the pension scammers.
“The time has come for DBS pensioners to continue to eat the fruits of their labour.
“We appeal to pension unions to always cooperate with the directorate in order to further facilitate better welfare opportunities for our pensioners.”
