By Nana Musa
The Nigeria Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS) has reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of members and strengthening the Contributory Pension System (CPS) in the country.
The National Chairman of NUPCPS, Mr Sylva Nwaiwu, reiterated the commitment during the ninth year anniversary of the union in Abuja on Friday.
The theme of the event was ‘Freedom of association, a fundamental human right in Nigeria’.
He said that the theme was significant to the survival of the union.
”We have endured nine years of intense struggle, opposition and attacks by both visible and invisible forces.
”CPS was introduced in 2004, with retirements commencing in 2007, retirees under the scheme were not unionised until 2017.
“NUPCPS was officially recognised and inaugurated in 2017 as a sector of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), with the approval of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment,” he said.
Nwaiwu said the inauguration was witnessed by key stakeholders in the pension industry, including representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the National Pension Commission (PenCom, the National Assembly and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He said that before the formation of the sector, CPS retirees faced numerous challenges, including under-appropriation of pension budgets, non-release of approved funds and arrears of about 20 months in the remittance of accrued rights.
The chairman said that retirees were also denied pension increases and often waited for extended periods before accessing their benefits.
According to him, sustained engagement with the National Assembly, PenCom and other stakeholders had led to significant improvements in this administration of the CPS.
“The pension budgets were now fully appropriated and released as at when due, while remittance of accrued rights had been regularised with zero arrears.
“CPS retirees now receive their retirement benefits in the same month of retirement, unlike in the past when they waited for months or years.
“Pension increases had been extended to CPS retirees, including those who transited from the old Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) with arrears being addressed,” the chairman said.
Nwaiwu said that section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the right of every person to assemble freely and associate with others, including forming or belonging to trade unions.
He also expressed concern over the attempts to segment the NUP through the creation of parallel unions.
The chairman alleged that some individuals were pushing for the registration of a separate union for CPS retirees, despite the existence of NUPCPS as a recognised sector under the NUP.
Nwaiwu said that the sector had grown over the past nine years with structures in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and was prepared to resist any attempt to server it from the NUP.
The chairman also appealed to the Minister of Labour and Employment to safeguard the constitutional right of members to freedom of association, NUPCPS members as bonafide Nigerian citizens and senior citizens.
He commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Director-General of PenCom, Ms Bridget Oloworaran, for the ongoing reforms in the pension sector.
He also commended the leadership of the NUP and the media for their roles in advancing the welfare of CPS retirees.
The Senior Assistant General Secretary, NUP, Alhaji Ahmed Gazali, said that pensioners were yet to receive their palliative.
“The Federal Government in October 2023, had a negotiation between the labour cycle to give palliative package to workers and pensioners.
“It was agreed in that MOU that workers will be given N30,000 for six months, and N25,000 for three months to pensioners.
“The workers have benefited and up to this moment, the pensioners are yet to receive the three months palliative package.
“Pensioners will not forget this. We call on the President, please, direct the appropriate authorities to ensure that this three months palliative package is being paid to pensioners,” he said.
Gazali said that the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) no longer wait or forward pensioners’ payment to PENCOM for approval, it’s now down directly.
He said that health insurance, the PENCARE, was an attribute all pensioners were looking for.
Gazali said that the Federal Government has given directives that there should be free medical services to Nigerian pensioners.
“The assistance from the government for free medical services is a good thing, I am sure their life can be enhanced by getting proper medication to our elderly people,” Gazali said.
He also called on the Federal Government to give a marching order to ensure that employers or private employees should find a way of paying pension increases as provided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Gazali also commended PenCom boss for all her innovation in the pension sector.
