Ex-service men urge FG to settle backlog arrears

Retired Army, Navy and Airforce Officers’ Club of Nigeria (RANAO) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to fully committed to paying their 53 per cent pension arrears lingering since the last three years.

In a release signed by RANAO Publicity Officer, Retired Captain Yusuf Abdulmalik, lamented that the hope of ex-service men who voted the present government with assurances of restoring their dignity and alleviating their pains was nearly depleted, saying they are gradually loosing confidence in the government.

According to the ex-military men, “we regret that President Muhammadu Buhari, at the height of the 2015 electioneering campaign, committed to settling all outstanding arrears of military pensioners, sequel to the approval of the upward review of Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) by former President Goodluck Jonathan. But one year after, he is yet to fulfill the promise.”

The statement reads: “We are almost losing confidence on the government of Muhammadu Buhari for its reluctant disposition to the payment of our arrears. For clarity purposes, our pension is not a privilege. It is rather our right and we would not relent until the government does the needful.

“Let me say that RANAO is so disappointed in the way and manner the President is handling the issue of military pensioners after the ex-service men scarified their lives for the country only for their entitlement be denied.”