Retirees applaud Buhari on contributory pension scheme

Retirees, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS), have written to President Muhammadu Buhari, applauding his administration as the best they have seen in the 14 years of the pension scheme.

In a letter dated December 10 and signed by the Chairman of the union, Sylva C. Nwaiwu, the pensioners said they were registering their “unanimous acknowledgement and commendation of the good performance” of the administration in the contributory pension scheme sector in particular and Nigerian pension industry in general.

A statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, yesterday, quoted the union as saying that the consensus was reached during the union’s 3rd post-inaugural congress/interactive session with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) held last month in Maitama, Abuja.

Distancing itself from partisan politicking, NUPCPS said the union was made of “elder statesmen and women who must stand for the truth, no matter whose ox is gored,” adding: “We owe no one any apology for expressing the truth we know about the good works of your administration.

“Your administration inherited huge pension liabilities as a result of the excesses and recklessness of the previous administration, which mismanaged pension funds meant for the payment of retirement benefits. Nevertheless, your contribution in just few years in office is one of the best we have seen in the 14 years existence of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in our nation.

“Your insight, determination, political will and commitment, as demonstrated in the release of bailout funds to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerian workers/pensioners, is unequalled and highly appreciated by the union and other stakeholders.”

The union also urged the President to “complete the good work you have started” by authorising additional bailout to clear the outstanding backlog from last year.